The iconic Hawaiian double-hulled sailing canoe Hokule‘a, during its stay in Hilo as part of its Mahalo Hawaii Sail, will host a free public event from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 21 at Wailoa Pier.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society has embarked on a six-month statewide journey to express its mahalo to numerous segments of the communities throughout Hawaii for their tremendous support of the three-year Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage from 2014-17.

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Another purpose of the Mahalo Hawaii Sail is to reach out to thousands of schoolchildren throughout the state, offering canoe tours and hands-on educational activities that showcase ocean navigation through the lenses of science, math, culture and conservation.

The first half of the voyaging canoe’s statewide mission took place from August-October 2017. On March 24, Hokule‘a resumed its mahalo sail and departed Sand Island off Oahu for Hawaii Island. It arrived April 1 in Hilo after a short stay in Kailua-Kona.

“Planning and implementing this ambitious Mahalo Hawaii Sail project is exciting and rewarding, and would not have been possible without the assistance of many people from different segments of our community,” said Kalepa Baybayan, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s Navigator-in-Residence and the project’s overall lead person for Hawaii Island. “We are thankful for the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s support, for the time and commitment of everyone involved in the planning of this large scale project and for sponsorships from ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, the County of Hawaii, the Grand Naniloa Hotel, Friends of Hokule‘a and Hawai‘iloa, Hawaiian Airlines and the University of Hawaii at Hilo.”

During each of its major port visits, crew members will engage with communities, schools and organizations through outreach events, service projects, crew presentations and canoe tours, with the mission of sharing wayfinding lore and lessons learned from the voyage.

In conjunction with the free canoe tours there will be an education expo, where exhibitors will highlight related educational opportunities and environmental stewardship programs to “malama honua,” or care for the planet.

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The Hokule‘a’s Hawaii Island itinerary keeps it in Hilo until April 28, when it sets sail again.

The canoe then will be docked at Kawaihae Harbor from April 28-May 10; tours will be held there from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 5.