The Hōkūle'a, a traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe, departs for a 3-year voyage from Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 17, 2014
The Hōkūle'a, a traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe, departs for a 3-year voyage from Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 17, 2014 (© Reuters/Alamy)
An ancient sailing tradition takes to the water
During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're turning our attention to this vessel setting sail from Honolulu. It looks like a sailboat at sunset, accompanied by a group of rowers. But this is actually the Hōkūle'a, a replica of a traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe, as it departs in May 2014 for a three-year 'Mālama Honua' voyage to circumnavigate the world. The Polynesian Voyaging Society, which organizes the expeditions of the Hōkūle'a, explains that 'Mālama Honua' means to 'care for our Island Earth.' As they sail around the world, they're discovering and sharing local and Indigenous wisdom in a bid to help overcome the world's current challenges.
© Reuters/Alamy