A team of young mariners today showed off the symbol of their heritage — the voyaging canoe Hokulea — to a group of school-age children from Kawaihao Church School.

The best part of the morning-long tour was a step aboard the vessel that to many is the symbol of the Hawaiian renaissance movement that began more than 30 years ago.
The three crew members, who are training for an around the world voyage in 2012 and had recently returned from a trip to Palmyra, charted the boat’s history from log to voyage.
“It is always important to share the information of our culture,” said Kaleo Wong, a crew member and one of the student’s guides. “The Hokulea is the best tool we have. It’s a powerful symbol for change.”
The students chanted in Hawaiian asking the gods for permission before they even stepped on the boat. And they event changed permission to step onto the Marine Education Center on Sand Island.
It’s all part of the Hawaiian Voyaging Society’s plan to sail around the world in 2012, but before it goes, crew members are making contact with schools and school groups to educate others on the significance of the voyage, which organizers have said will build on the legacy of Hokulea.