Hōkūlea arrives at Golden Bay

HONOLULU – Traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūle'a achieved a new milestone in her voyage around the world this week. Her arrival in Golden Bay, New Zealand marks the furthest into the southern hemisphere Hōkūlea has sailed in nearly four decades of voyaging.

“On March 8th, 1975, Hōkūle'a was launched with the vision of one voyage to Tahiti and back,” said Bruce Blankenfeld, Pwo (master) navigator with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. "She has been restored and reenergized through the aloha and good mana of our large voyaging community, young and old, from near and far. In 2015, 40 years later, she continues to afford us the opportunity to explore new horizons."

Designed to replicate the voyaging routes of her Polynesian ancestors, Hōkūle'a has voyaged extensively throughout the warm waters of the Pacific, beginning with her first voyage to Tahiti in 1976. The current leg of the Worldwide Voyage is an ambitious journey, taking Hōkūle'a far beyond her native waters. The harsh sea and weather conditions along New Zealand's South Island and beyond will continue to push the boundaries of contemporary Polynesian voyaging as Hōkūlea continues around the world.HONOLULU – Traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūle'a achieved a new milestone in her voyage around the world this week. Her arrival in Golden Bay, New Zealand marks the furthest into the southern hemisphere Hōkūlea has sailed in nearly four decades of voyaging.

“On March 8th, 1975, Hōkūle'a was launched with the vision of one voyage to Tahiti and back,” said Bruce Blankenfeld, Pwo (master) navigator with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. "She has been restored and reenergized through the aloha and good mana of our large voyaging community, young and old, from near and far. In 2015, 40 years later, she continues to afford us the opportunity to explore new horizons."

Designed to replicate the voyaging routes of her Polynesian ancestors, Hōkūle'a has voyaged extensively throughout the warm waters of the Pacific, beginning with her first voyage to Tahiti in 1976. The current leg of the Worldwide Voyage is an ambitious journey, taking Hōkūle'a far beyond her native waters. The harsh sea and weather conditions along New Zealand's South Island and beyond will continue to push the boundaries of contemporary Polynesian voyaging as Hōkūlea continues around the world.