Famed Polynesian vessels prepare for voyage around Pacific Ocean

(FILE) A glimpse of the stern of the Polynesian vessel Hōkūleʻa during her historic visit to Pearl Harbor in early 2018. (Photo by Des Acenas)

By Alfred Acenas
Eagle News Service

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – The Hawaii-based Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) recently announced its 15th major maritime journey called “Moananuiākea.”

The project will consist of a 47-month long circumnavigation of the Pacific Ocean, covering roughly 43,000 nautical miles, by the traditional Polynesian voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia.

A rotating crew of up to 400 will travel to 36 countries, nearly 100 indigenous territories and 345 ports.

Map showing the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s upcoming journey around the Pacific Ocean, which will kick off in Alaska later this year. (Photo courtesy Polynesian Voyaging Society)

According to PVS, the purpose of this journey is to ignite a movement “by developing young leaders and engaging communities around the world while amplifying the vital importance of our oceans, nature, science, and indigenous wisdom.”

“We must deepen our values in the voyage and move from exploration and understanding to mālama, or caring, and kuleana, or taking responsibility,” the organizers stated on its website. “With those values, we must move discovery toward choices and actions that we believe will help build a future good enough for our children.”

Below is PVS’s most current sail plan, which is subject to change based on conditions during the voyage.

  • June to September 2023 – Alaska; British Columbia, Canada; Seattle, Washington.
  • September to November 2023 – West Coast of the United States.
  • January to February 2024 – Mexico, Central America, South America.
  • March to December 2024 – Various islands in the South Pacific.
  • December 2024 to May 2025 – Aotearoa (New Zealand).
  • May to March 2026 – Melanesia, Micronesia, and Palau.
  • March to September 2026 – West Pacific, ending in Japan.
  • September to December 2026 – The canoes will be shipped from Japan to Los Angeles, California before sailing back home to Hawaii.
  • Spring 2027 – Tahiti, French Polynesia
(FILE) Visitors flock the Polynesian canoe Hōkūleʻa during her historic visit to Pearl Harbor in early 2018. (Photo by Des Acenas)

Since 1976, the Polynesian vessel Hōkūleʻa has logged over 150,000 nautical miles throughout the Pacific region.

From 2013 to 2017, the famed canoe completed her ambitious “Malama Honua” Worldwide Voyage that included visiting more than 150 ports, 18 nations, and eight of UNESCO’S Marine World Heritage sites.

(FILE) Visitors flock the Polynesian canoe Hōkūleʻa during her historic visit to Pearl Harbor in early 2018. (Photo by Des Acenas)

(Eagle News Service)