Hokule'a could reach Kaua'i shores tonight

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Staff Writer

HANALEI, Kaua'i — The voyaging canoe Hokule'a was nearing Kaua'i yesterday afternoon on its voyage from Midway Atoll to Hanalei Bay.

The canoe, with a crew of 10, has had a mixture of good sailing, light winds and stormy conditions on its trip, which at its current rate of progress was expected to bring it to Kaua'i late today or Monday.

Hokule'a sailed from Hanalei Bay April 23 on an island-hopping expedition up the Northwestern Hawaiian Island chain. Crew members participated in conservation projects at French Frigate Shoals, Laysan Island and Midway Atoll's Eastern Island.

The canoe, which changed most members of its crew at Midway, is expected to anchor for a few days at Hanalei before returning to O'ahu with another crew.

Nainoa Thompson was captain and Ka'iulani Murphy navigator of the Kaua'i-to-Midway sail.

Mel Paoa is captain and Bruce Blankenfeld navigator on the Midway-to-Kaua'i trip. Russell Amimoto is to serve as captain, with Murphy as navigator on the trip to O'ahu.