The leadership of the voyaging canoe Hokule'a and escort vessel Kama Hele put off a scheduled departure yesterday morning from Uwajima in Japan for Yokohama.

"Capt. Nainoa Thompson says the crew has been working very hard with community and education events so they are taking this day of rest for crew members to get centered and refocused for the journey ahead," the Polynesian Voyaging Society said in a release yesterday afternoon.

Also, a low-pressure system was expected to bring gusty winds and rain, and the canoe's crew decided to let the weather system pass "and catch the good weather behind it."

Thompson is to return to Hawai'i today with some crew members and volunteers, while a new crew under the command of Bruce Blankenfeld will take the vessel to Yokohama, the final leg of its journey through the islands of Japan. Also on board are Chadd Paishon, Pomai Bertelmann, Atwood Makanani, Ka'iulani Murphy, Na'alehu Anthony, Kanako Uchino, Takuji Araki, Patti-Ann Solomon, Dennis Kawaharada, Tava Taupu, Dr. Cherie Shehata, Dean Nikaido, Chris Baird and Leighton Tseu.

Hokule'a's Japan visit is a mission of goodwill, but also commemorates the 1881 visit to Yokohama by Hawai'i's last king, Kalakaua.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.