KAWAIHAE, Hawai'i — The voyaging canoe Hokule'a ran into severe winds in the 'Alenuihaha Channel yesterday, slowing its progress to join the canoe Alingano Maisu in Kawaihae, and delaying their departure for the western Pacific.

Hokule'a, with 15 people aboard and under the command of noninstrument navigator Nainoa Thompson, had sailed out of Honolulu on Thursday but took a tow from its interisland escort boat as it turned into strong east winds.

Polynesian Voyaging Society representative Kathy Thompson said the canoe, heavily loaded for its months-long voyage through Micronesia and on to Japan, was moving slowly as it fought waves and strong contrary winds.

Meanwhile at Kawaihae, the crew of Alingano Maisu, commonly known simply as Maisu, joined volunteers in making final preparations for its departure at Kawaihae Harbor.

The canoe, mostly loaded with gear, still had work going on all over the vessel. Seamstresses were revising the ship's canvas berth covers. Carpenters were rebuilding hatch covers. Boatwrights were fitting the canoe's steering sweep. Rope workers lashed gear down. Electronics experts ran waterproof cable between antennas and the boat's radios.

Maisu captain Shorty Bertelmann walked quietly amid the furor, checking on each piece.

"I'm anxious, a little nervous," he said, although his demeanor appeared controlled and calm.

The two canoes are now scheduled to sail late tomorrow afternoon on the first leg that will take Hokule'a to waters it has never before visited, and will take Maisu to its new home. The Big Island voyaging society, Na Kalai Wa'a Moku O Hawai'i, has built the canoe with the help of canoe supporters from throughout Hawai'i as well as New Zealand.

Maisu is a gift from the voyaging community to Mau Piailug of Satawal, the traditionally trained noninstrument navigator who trained Hawai'i's voyaging community after the art of such navigation was lost in the Hawaiian Islands.

Hokule'a skipper Thompson and Maisu skipper Bertelmann were early students of Piailug.

On board Maisu for the voyage from Hawai'i to Satawal are five men who will learn the characteristics of the canoe because they will be its sailors at its new home.

They include Piailug's son, Sesario Sewralur, 36, of Yap, and Jason Urusalim, 26, of Satawal, Innocenti Eraekaiut, 32, of Satawal, Athanasio Emaengilpiy, 26, of Satawal, and Norman Tawalimai, 28, of the neighboring island of Ifalik.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.