Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) announces change to Moananuiakea Sail Plan
by Daria Blackwell 16 Oct 2023 23:41 UTC
Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) announces change to Moananuiakea Sail Plan © Daria Blackwell
PVS CEO Nainoa Thompson announced that Hokule'a will return home to Lahaina, Hawaii from California in late December, before continuing on their circumnavigation of the Pacific.
In a video statement on their website, Thompson said "The level of hurt that's happening in our home is something I can't comprehend. All I know is that we have to come home because of it." He also said "Lahaina is a voyaging powerhouse," and "I believe the family is going to need the canoe and the canoe is going to need the family." Hokule'a was built in Lahaina which suffered catastrophic fires that destroyed the historic town in August.
He also attributed part of the decision-making to the global impact of unpredictable ocean conditions. A warming world combined with an El Niño phenomenon have contributed to unprecedented weather patterns. Citing the role of the navigator in protecting the safety of the canoe and its sailors, he made the call to return to Hawaii and temporarily suspend the voyage.
Founded in 1973, the Polynesian Voyaging Society's mission is to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, each other, and their natural and cultural environments.
Through voyaging, PVS hopes to inspire humanity to care for the earth by highlighting the vital importance of oceans, indigenous knowledge, communities, education and sustainability.
Moananuiakea is Hokule'a's 15th major voyage in her first 50 years. At the core of Hokule'a's creation was exploration - to uncover, recover, and reclaim. Reclaim culture, traditions, and relationship to home and island earth.
"Moananuiakea is no different, but we are now guided by what the worldwide voyage told us—that we must deepen our values in the voyage and move from exploration and understanding to malama, or caring, and kuleana, or taking responsibility. With those values, we must move discovery toward choices and actions that we believe will help build a future good enough for our children. This is our most difficult voyage yet because the destination is not ours. It will be the most difficult island yet to find, because it is the future of island earth."
"A voyage for oceans. A voyage for earth."
That someone so close to the sea and its ways and committed to a cause so important has raised this concern about voyaging should be taken to heart. Please listen to his explanation on the PVS website. Know when it is a time to go and a time to stay.
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