Hokulea is scheduled to return to her birthplace of Kualoa, Saturday, March 9, to highlight the 10th Annual Kualoa/Hakipuu Canoe Festival at Kualoa Regional Park.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a decade of celebrating Hawai‘i’s oceangoing traditions will accompany the beloved vessel on the Kaneohe-side of the park. The event is free and open to the public, and all are invited to come and enjoy this immersive Hawaiian cultural experience.

Along with bidding Hau‘oli lā Hānau (Happy Birthday) to Hokulea, the festival will showcase Bobby Puakea and Nakoa Prejean. These master canoe builders and canoe paddle makers will be joined by the Polynesian Voyaging Society, who will be hosting educational booths, activities, and demonstrations aboard the educational voyaging canoe, Kanehunamoku, to share their knowledge. A variety of sailing vessels will also be on display.

Be sure to get there early as canoe rides out to Hokulea will fill up quickly. The attendance of Hokulea is subject to weather conditions.

As a result of the festival, Kualoa Regional Park Campground A will be closed for the camping period beginning on Friday, March 8. Campground B will remain open, however campers should be aware that there will be a significant increase in pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Many thanks to participating organizations: Bobby Puakea and the Puakea Foundation, Hawaiian Ocean Adventure, Kanehunamoku Voyaging Academy, Polynesian Voyaging Society, Hakipuu Learning Center, Navy Single Sailors, Wounded Warriors, and Calvin Hoe.

Since her initial launch from the sacred shores of Kualoa/Hakipuu in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, on March 8, 1975, Hokulea has carried the seeds of the Hawaiian Renaissance with her as she traveled throughout the Pacific. This mission continued with her historic circumnavigation voyage, Malama Honua, beginning in 2013. Four years later, she returned home, completing the voyage at Aina Moana (Magic Island) in Ala Moana Regional Park, where she and her crew were welcomed home by thousands, including Mayor Kirk Caldwell who presented a key to the city.

Along the way Hokulea’s mission to take care of the earth, to live, learn and share a sustainable Hawaiian culture, have gained awareness. In addition to the revitalization of Polynesian voyaging and navigating traditions, Hokulea introduced the “Promise to Pae Aina” to compel the global community to take up a unified and collaborative approach to environmental challenges that are affecting all of humanity”.