The Worldwide Voyage of Hōkūleʻa, the replica of the Hawaiian sailing canoe, came to a close with the Homecoming celebration today.  Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia along with Faʻafaite and several other voyaging canoes sailed into the Ala Wai harbor this morning. The welcoming was packed with supporters, most of whom waited in our t-shirt line for over an hour! I volunteered at the merchandise booth all morning. When I arrived at 6 am, there was already a line stretching as far as I could see! We sold out of sizes and colors, but more will be available online. For more information about Hōkūleʻa and the Polynesian Voyaging Society, go to www.hokulea.com.

Personally, I helped rebuild Hōkūleʻa while she was in dry dock for two years. I also sailed on Faʻafaite (Auckland to Tahiti) and Hikianalia (Tahiti to Hilo) as well as sailing locally on Hōkūleʻa. When the canoes visited American Samoa, I was able to participate on the water in the arrival ceremony and visit with the crew.  (Pics from 2012 are earlier in the blog.) It was great to see old friends again today!

I perfected my ability to enter credit cards manually through the PayPal app…

Note the line for t-shirts on the left…

Members of the Hawaiian welcoming crew

Hōkūleʻa at dock at Magic Island

Plumeria flowers of greeting

Hōkūleʻa and a line of voyaging canoes at Ala Moana park

The welcoming program

Hawaiian spirit was well-represented

A group waiting to perform