HOKULE'A "Hokule'a" is the Hawaiian name for Arcturus, and literally means “Star of Gladness". It is the bright star that passes directly over the Hawaiian Islands. Launched in 1975, the Hokule’a is an Hawaiian double hull voyaging canoe, measuring 62 feet, 4 inches in length. The Hokule'a was built to help resolve issues about Polynesian settlement by obtaining realistic data on how these canoes sailed and how traditional navigation methods worked on long voyages. In 1976 Hokule’a sailed successfully from Hawaii to Tahiti and back using traditional Polynesian methods. In the last 35 years, she has accumulated over 175,000 nautical miles. Currently, Hokule’a is in dry dock preparing for its Worldwide Voyage in which she will circumnavigate the globe. For more information or to make a donation to the Polynesian Voyaging Society go to: www.malamahonua.com |