Updated at 3:55 p.m., Thursday, January 4, 2007
Hokule'a departure delayed by gale-force winds
Advertiser Staff
The departure date for Hokule'a's historic trek to Micronesia and Japan has been delayed because of expected gale-force winds through the Alenuihaha Channel between Maui and the Big Island.Hokule'a must travel from Honolulu to Kawaihae first in order to rendezvous with the newly built Alingano Maisu, a canoe built by the Na Kalai Wa'a Moku O Hawaii as a gift for Micronesian master navigator Mau Piailug, who taught Hokule'a leader Nainoa Thompson and others the art of celestial navigation.
The new canoe is to be presented to Piailug at his home island of Satawal, expected to be one of the emotional highlights of the journey.
After Micronesia, Hokule'a heads to Japan for a goodwill tour that will, in part, mirror the 1881 voyage of King David Kalakaua to Yokohama that led to the immigration of the first Japanese to Hawai'i.
Thompson said today he expects local weather conditions to improve by early next week so that the two canoes can leave Hawai`i by the end of next week.
The Polynesian Voyaging Society held a departure ceremony this morning dockside of the Marine Education Training Center at Sand Island. Okinawan dancers joined Micronesian chanters and a traditional Hawaiian halau in sending off the canoe.
