Hōkūleʻa, Hikianalia voyage to Fiji, Tuvalu postponed because of weather

Ongoing weather uncertainty continues to impact voyage plans for the Moananuiākea Voyage.

Traditional double-hulled voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia were prepared and ready earlier this week to depart Auckland, Aotearoa (New Zealand), to sail for Fiji and Tuvalu in support of Pacific leaders and communities gathering around the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Pre-Conference of the Parties.

However, a series of cold fronts and gale force winds delayed their departure from Aotearoa.

Courtesy Video: Polynesian Voyaging Society

Safety of the canoes and their crews remains Polynesian Voyaging Society’s highest priority. Delays would also leave too little time for the meaningful community engagement central to the purpose of the Moananuiākea Voyage.

One of the voyage’s most important goals is to visit communities with purpose and respect — to listen and learn, build relationships and strengthen connections with the extended Moananuiākea family throughout the Pacific Ocean region.

This would have been the first visit by Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia to Fiji and Tuvalu, and the society thinks these important engagements deserve the time, preparation and care to be done properly.

The visits to Fiji and Tuvalu were postpone potentially until May 2027.

“We remain committed to visiting both island nations when conditions allow us to do so safely and with the time needed to engage, with the respect and intention these relationships deserve,” said Pwo navigator and Polynesian Voyaging Society Chief Executive Officer Nainoa Thompson.

Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia will remain in Aotearoa where crews will continue sailing and training in waters around the North and South Islands as part of preparations for the next phase of the Moananuiākea Voyage.

A revised schedule was announced in July for the Western Pacific portion of the 43,000-nautical mile circumnavigation of the Pacific in response to confirmed forecast elevated weather risks. The revision adds 1 year to the voyage.

Learn more at hokulea.com. For the latest updates on the voyage, Follow Polynesian Voyaging Society’s social media @hokuleacrew on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates about the Moananuiākea Voyage.

Additional information, a live voyaging tracking map and updates also can be found at the society website.