Hokulea and Hikianalia crews reach New Zealand ahead of schedule

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) — The crews of Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia made landfall at the Bay of Islands in Aotearoa (New Zealand) Friday morning (Hawai’i time) after 17 days at sea.

“I’m just so proud of this crew. This young crew. They got it,” said a Hōkūleʻa crew member.

The crews faced stormy weather and dangerous lightning during the crossing. Despite the challenges, seeing land brought mixed emotions for voyagers.

“Feeling great. Bitter and sweet because it’s almost the end of this voyage,” said Matahiarii Tutavae.

Video from the Polynesian Voyaging Society shows Hōkūleʻa captain and navigator Lehua Kamalu on the canoe’s radio Wednesday evening, communicating with the crew in ‘Olelo Hawai’i.

Historic connections renewed

The voyage to Aotearoa marks 40 years since Hōkūleʻa first made landfall there. In 2014, Hōkūleʻa, along with Hikianalia, made a second visit.

Kamehameha School’s Executive Culture Officer Dr. Randie Fong remembers Hōkūleʻa’s landing in Waitangi in 1985.

“I remember vividly there was this great sense of anticipation and I think from the Māori people around me, the people who are hosting us, they felt this deep connection because everything they had been speaking about and chanting about and singing about for generations,” said Fong.

The current voyage strengthens bonds as Hawaiians are regarded as a tribe of the Te Tai Tokerau region of New Zealand, called Ngāti Ruawāhia, named by respected elder Sir James Henare.

Fong says it’s important to honor the group’s elders including renowned Māori canoe-builder and master navigator Sir Hector Busby and late school trustee and Polynesian Voyaging Society President Myron Pinky Thompson.

Following ancient paths

Ancient Polynesian voyagers sailed to Aotearoa going back 700 years, and modern wayfinders are retracing their navigational path.

“This is huge and it’s daunting. It’s scary,” said Fong.

A group of students in Kamehameha’s Hawaiian Ensemble are practicing their hula performances and protocols for the trip and their traveling classroom.

“Definitely excited. I feel really privileged have this kuleana and opportunity to go on another one of these trips and connect with our ‘ohana,” said Timoteo Esene, Kamehameha student.

“I just know that all the preparation that we are going and doing right now is going to pay off when we get to meet our Māori cousins,” said Lilia Sueda, Kamehameha student.

Since the sister canoes arrived a week before their scheduled welcome ceremony on Nov. 14, the crew will observe a “kapu,” putting them in a state of reflection with no public engagements, until the two waʻa are formally received.

The canoes will eventually be drydocked for the season until the Pacific tour continues next year.