Navigating by the Stars

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Hōkūle’a, “Navigating by the Stars” is the theme for this year’s Honolulu City Lights. Hawai‘i’s legendary voyaging canoe first launched on March 8, 1975. Since then, it has completed 14 major voyages including Tahiti, Aotearoa, Rapa Nui, Japan, Canada, and the continental United States.

Honoring Roots: The Start of a New Voyage

In partnership with the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Alaska Airlines, ʻŌlelo Community Media traveled to Juneau, Alaska in 2023 for the official launch of Hōkūle’a’s 15th and current major voyage – the Moananuiākea. Starting in southern Alaska, ʻŌlelo Community Media was there as crew and dignitaries looked ahead to the most ambitious voyage ever undertaken by the PVS and its most famous voyaging canoe.

The decision to start in Alaska was made to honor the long-standing relationship between the Hawaiian voyaging community and the Alaska Native community, which began when the Alaskans provided spruce trees to build the sister canoe Hawaiʻiloa. ʻŌlelo’s President & CEO Roger McKeague took part in the Global Launch Ceremony for the 43,000 mile circumnavigation of the Pacific Ocean.

Watch the Story

Watch here to learn more about the launch, which blended both Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian cultural protocols and traditions: