Hokule'a almost ready to start voyage
• | Hokule'a 2007 voyages to Micronesia and Japan Follow the Hokule'a as they sail to Micronesia and Japan in our special report. |
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Staff Writer
Crews will be loading eggs, coconuts, sweet potatoes, oranges and other fresh produce aboard the voyaging canoes Hokule'a and Alingano Maisu today in anticipation of sailing at dawn tomorrow from Kawaihae on the Big Island, on the first leg of their voyage into Micronesia and Japan.
The leaders of the voyage have been meeting daily to assess weather and canoe and crew readiness. Their departure has been delayed largely because of strong winds and seas in the 'Alenuihaha Channel. The National Weather Service has predicted a shift in wind from east to northeast today, and a drop in wind strength to between 20 and 25 mph. Swells were expected to drop somewhat as well.
Voyage leaders met yesterday afternoon. They decided that rather than rushing to load fresh stores on board yesterday and departing this morning, they would give the crews a somewhat leisurely day to rest up from the heavy work of getting the canoes ready for voyaging. The departure is tentatively scheduled for dawn, but may be adjusted today.
The canoes are to cross the 'Alenuihaha and rendezvous near Kaho'olawe, a traditional jumping-off point for canoe voyages. Then they are expected to turn downwind toward the Marshall Islands. They are aiming for landfall at Majuro in about 20 days.
The mission is to deliver the Alingano Maisu, built by the Big Island-based Na Kalai Wa'a Moku O Hawai'i with help from canoe voyagers across the state, as a gift to Mau Piailug, who taught non-instrument navigation to Hawaiian sailors. Piailug lives on the tiny Micronesian island of Satawal.
Afterward, Hokule'a will sail on to Japan for a goodwill mission to the Japanese islands.
Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.