Welcoming protocols, photo by Sen. Gil Kahele on Facebook

HILO, Hawaii – Hōkūleʻa has arrived in Hilo. The legendary voyaging canoe arrived at Radio Bay late Monday night, where it stops for about a week before the start of its worldwide voyage.

There were welcoming protocols on Tuesday morning at Palekai, hosted by the Keaukaha community. The children of Keaukaha Elementary, Ke Ana La’ahana, and Ka Umeke Schools took part in the ceremony. Elected officials Sentaor Gil Kahele and Mayor Billy Kenoi shared photos on Facebook. ” Unreal,” wrote the mayor. “Chicken skin to Da max!”

photo courtesy Mayor Billy Kenoi on Facebook

The Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage will be a first for the The Polynesian Voyaging Society. Hōkūleʻa and its companion vessel, Hikianalia, departed from Honolulu with great fanfare late last week. The crew stopped in Maui on the way over to Hilo.

Hōkūleʻa came to Hilo last summer. The visit was part of the state-wide Malama Hawaii voyage, which was primer for the upcoming worldwide journey.

While the canoe is here, there will be a free event at the Palace Theater: a screening of The Navigators film by Sam Low, followed by a panel discussion with Hawaii’s master navigators.

Promotional poster for upcoming Palace Theater event

Weather permitting, the Hōkūleʻa will depart this weekend.

Archive

Part 1 of a 5 part series featuring Hōkūleʻa Malama Hawaii visit to Hilo in June 2013