Hokulea recently visited Hanalei and Nawiliwili as part of its ongoing voyages to connect with the Hawaiian islands after an extended journey across the Pacific over the past few years.
Originally, Hokulea planned to visit Hanalei, Nawiliwili, Niihau, and Nihoa. However, the voyage faced challenges from unpredictable tropical storms. The captains and crew assessed the weather daily, with decisions about the route often shifting —a dynamic only those familiar with sailing on the vast ocean can truly appreciate.
During their weeklong stay in Hanalei, Hokulea’s crew shared their experiences with the local community as schools and cultural groups visited Hokulea at the Hanalei pier on a daily basis. During Hokulea‘s time in Hanalei, the first tropical storm passed by the Hawaiian islands without much impact on Kauai. But a few days later, the decision was made to head for the safe harbor of Nawiliwili in preparation for a second approaching storm. Hokulea departed Hanalei, sailing along the west side of Kauai, past the breathtaking Napali Coast.
I had the privilege of joining one of the escort boats on this leg of the journey, and it was a night I’ll never forget. As we hugged the rugged Napali Coast, the setting sun illuminated the stunning landscape. The winds howled, and the seas churned beneath a clear, colorful sunset sky, blending beauty with the intensity of nature. When night fell, the stars were brilliant, but we had little time to be distracted. Every sense was heightened as we navigated through the night, and though fatigue set in, the entire crew remained focused and alert.
After a long night at sea, Hokulea arrived safely on the east side of Kauai, greeted by the community at Nawiliwili Harbor. Among the welcoming party were some of Kauai’s esteemed navigators, who had once sailed aboard Hokulea in its earlier years, creating a powerful connection between the past and present of this storied canoe. It was a beautiful and unexpected journey to participate in, among one of Hokulea‘s countless adventures on the ocean.
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