The canoes were expected to remain at their initial dock overnight and move this morning to a different dock for a ceremonial welcome from the Pohnpei community.

Among those greeting them will be members of the Aloha Medical Mission, which include medical professionals who are providing medical care to the Pohnpei community and will continue the medical outreach at other islands the canoes will visit.

Non-instrument navigator Nainoa Thompson, who talked to the canoes via satellite phone, said they saw he island when they were about 18 miles out. The arrival a couple of hours later ended the second leg of their mission into Micronesia and for Hokule'a, then on to Japan.

Thompson said Hokule'a's Bruce Blankenfeld's non-instrument navigation was excellent, despite problems with frequent rain, cloud cover, contrary currents and other problems.

"Despite these difficult conditions, captain and navigator Bruce Blankenfeld did a remarkable job of finding his way and making landfall. Equally remarkable is that the two canoes could stay together in these conditions and for that we commend the leadership of the Alingano Maisu, captain Shorty Bertelmann and navigator Chadd Paishon. Congratulations to the leadership and the crews of all three vessels — Hokule'a, Alingano Maisu and escort boat Kama Hele," Thompson said.

All but three Hokule'a crew members will be replaced in Pohnpei by a new crew that will travel by commercial airline to the island. Thompson will replace Blankenfeld as skipper, and is slated to depart from Honolulu Friday.

Yesterday's anchoring marks the crews' second landfall in Micronesia, a week after leaving Majuro in the Marshall Islands.