"Hokule'a II"
This picture is available as a stock image. Phone: 808-935-3082

The canoe has been welcomed everywhere as a symbol of mutuality among all Polynesians, truly the "spaceship of our ancestors," It's now based in Honolulu, and still sailing.

Without using charts or instruments, this replica of an ancient Polynesian voyaging canoe was sailed to Tahiti and back in 1976 and again in 1980. In 1987 a two-year Pan-Polynesia campaign was concluded in which Hokule'a was sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and New Zealand, returning to Hawaii by way of Tonga, Samoa, the Cook Islands, Tahiti, and the Tuamotu Islands; more than 16,000 miles navigated entirely by the ancient methods. Those long ago sailors (c. 200 AD) were on purposeful voyages of exploration. They knew the dangers, they knew of canoes which had sailed and never returned, but their ancestors had always found new islands in their ocean world, and the spirits of their most powerful ancestors would guide them.

Throughout Polynesia Hokule'a was warmly welcomed as a symbol of mutuality among all Polynesians, truly the "spaceship of our ancestors" without which the original exploration and settlement of Polynesia could not have been accomplished.

The name Hokule'a ( a star of gladness) is Hawaiian for Arcturus, a star which led ancient navigators back to Hawaii. The artist of this painting was co-founder of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, principal designer, and first captain of Hokule'a.

Page 31, Voyagers