Classes to get chance to talk with Hokule'a crew
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Science Writer
Schools throughout the state will have the opportunity to speak by telephone with the crew of the voyaging canoe Hokule'a next month as it sails through the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Advertiser library photo • Aug. 26, 2003
The crew will have satellite telephone gear and will make daily teleconference calls to three schools at a time.
The voyaging canoe Hokule'a will make daily teleconference calls to three schools at a time during its trip through the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands beginning May 2.
Hokule'a is scheduled to leave O'ahu on May 2, sailing first to Kaua'i and then northwest along the Hawaiian archipelago to Nihoa, Mokumanamana, French Frigate Shoals, Gardner Pinnacles, Laysan Island, Lisianski Island, Pearl and Hermes Atoll, past Midway Atoll to Kure Atoll and then back to Midway Atoll.
The canoe will stop at most of the islands, allowing crew members to study their geology and natural life, which includes pristine reefs and, in some cases, hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds.
Educators, scientists and cultural experts will be among the crew members, and will be available to answer students' questions via speakerphones in their classrooms.
For information about the trip, visit the www.hawaiianatolls.org, which will allow classes to track the canoe's voyage, e-mail questions and receive updates. The site includes access to a five-part curriculum that can be viewed online or downloaded.
For information about the Hokule'a and the Polynesian Voyaging Society, visit www.pvs-hawaii.com.
Classes interested in participating must sign up by April 30. For information, call 397-2405.
Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.
