The voyaging canoe Hokule'a and escort boat Kama Hele arrived in Nagasaki, Japan, at about 4 p.m. Hawai'i time yesterday after an overnight stop at the fishing community of Nobosaki.

The two vessels sailed three hours yesterday from Nobosaki to Nagasaki.

The crews were welcomed by dancing children.

The next stop for the voyaging canoe is Fukuoka tomorrow or Thursday. From there, the canoe and escort boat will visit Oshima, Hiroshima, Uwajima and Yokohama.

The Hokule'a is on a goodwill mission to Japan, which follows its voyage through Micronesia. The Hokule'a will be shipped back to Hawai'i when it completes its mission in Japan.

Chad Baybayan is skipper and navigator of the Hokule'a. Crew members include Taku Araki, Kaimana Barcarse, Tim Gilliom, Ka'iu Kimura, Attwood Maka-nani, Pa'ana'akala Baybayan, Ka'iulani Murphy, Mel Paoa, Maka'ala Rawlins, Mona Shintani, Kanako Uchino, Ah Lun Yung, and a Japanese merchant marine officer identified by the Polynesian Voyaging Society only as "Mr. Oku."