Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaii Tourism welcomed the unique vessel in a stunning ceremony as she sailed into Sydney yesterday 19 May.
A spectacular ceremony at Darling Harbour featuring a traditional NAWI Aboriginal canoe, a smoking ceremony and cultural performances by the Polynesian Voyaging Society welcomed the legendary Hōkūleʻa when as she sailed into the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Hawaii’s Hōkūleʻa sailed into Sydney as part of its worldwide conservation themed Malama Honua voyage, which sees it leaving the Pacific Ocean for the first time.
Pictured with members of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Hōkūleʻa crew are Andrew Denman, Hawaiian Airlines Sales and Marketing Manager and Janaya Birse, from Hawaiian Tourism Oceania.
Hawaiian Airlines is a strong supporter of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Hōkūleʻa. The canoe was launched in Hawaii on 8 March 1975 with the aim of revitalizing traditional voyaging and navigation traditions. The 19 metre vessel sails using only wind power and is navigated using ancestral knowledge of star patterns, ocean movement, marine life and weather patterns.
Now in its 40th year, the Polynesian Voyaging Society is celebrating this milestone by voyaging Hōkūleʻa 47,000 nautical miles over four years to engage a global community in creating a healthy and sustainable planet for future generations.
“Hōkūleʻa will be on display at Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney until 23 May. For further information on the Hōkūleʻa visit see www.anmm.gov.au/whats-on/calendar/hokulea.
