Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa visit with message for earth

by Jude Timms on 8 May 2015 A spectacular ceremony featuring traditional NAWI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canoes, a smoking ceremony and cultural performances will welcome the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s voyaging canoe, Ho¯ku¯le?a, when it visits Sydney this May.

Hawaii’s Ho¯ku¯le?a will sail into Sydney Harbour on Friday 15 May as part of its worldwide conservation themed Malama Honua voyage. It will arrive at the Australian National Maritime Museum at 10 am where it will be open for a week for visitors and school students to climb on board, meet the crew and learn more about this unique vessel and its message.

Ho¯ku¯le?a 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 Ho¯ku¯le?a 47,000 nautical miles over four years to engage a global community in creating a healthy and sustainable planet for future generations.

Ho¯ku¯le?a will be the star attraction at a special Pacific Play family fun day on Sunday 17 May celebrating Pacific and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. A full program of family activities is planned including craft, Hawaiian dance performances and workshops, traditional weaving workshops, storytelling and more.

As part of the visit the museum’s Bill Lane USA Gallery Fellowship to support their participation in First Nation cultural exchange. Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Hawaiian students will visit Sydney for three days to take part in cross-cultural educational activities including traditional canoe building, performance, weaving workshops, cultural tours and talks.

Museum director Kevin Sumption stated how important Ho¯ku¯le?a’s visit is to the museum, “We are delighted that we can work with our friends at the US Embassy in Sydney and the Polynesian Voyaging Society to bring Ho¯ku¯le?a to Sydney to help share its important message. Our First Nation cultural exchange is significant because it will allow students to share knowledge and pass on traditional skills and stories.”

The Australian National Maritime Museum on Darling Harbour is open daily from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. For further information call 02 9298 3777 or visit website.