Posted at 3:29 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2007
Hokule'a leaves for first leg of Pacific voyage
Advertiser Staff
The voyaging canoe Hokule'a pulled away from the dock at Ke'ehi Lagoon shortly after 2 p.m. today for its overnight run to Kawaihae, where it will join the canoe Alingano Maisu for a voyage across the western Pacific.Hokule'a had 15 people aboard, which is more than normal for a voyage, but most of them will disembark at Kawaihae, to be replaced by the crew that will take the canoe to Majuro and beyond during the next several months. For those sailing for just the night, having a dedicated berth is not considered a priority. The canoe has just 10 sleeping places, each a foam-covered plywood sheet atop one of the canoe's hatches.
Voyaging veteran Na'alehu Anthony said the canoe sailed away from the dock and was sailing off Honolulu during the mid-afternoon. The canoe was expected to take about 24 hours to make the passage to Kawaihae on the Big Island.
