Immense Gathering Welcomes Hikianalia to Dana Point

Posted on 24 Oct 2018
In Events, Featured, Hikianalia Updates, News, Newsletter, Photo Galleries, Teachers, Updates

More than one thousand people gather at Ocean Institute to welcome crewmembers

Huge mahalo to Anthony for the clip. © 2018 Diamond Block Studios

Over one hundred canoe paddlers, boaters and other water enthusiasts converged outside Dana Point to escort the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hikianalia and crewmembers into port after sailing in from Avalon Bay on Catalina Island.

A tribal canoe with members of the Acjachemen Nation greet Hikianalia voyagers

Acknowledging Hawaiian custom, crewmembers chanted outside the breakwater at Dana Cove, requesting permission to land in port. From a tribal canoe, members of the Acjachemen Nation, greeted the voyagers who proceeded into port at Ocean Institute where over 1,000 supporters cheered in support.

An estimated 1,000 spectators, ʻohana and supporters gathered at Ocean Institute to celebrate the arrival of Hikianalia.

After disembarking, crewmembers and the public were greeted with ceremonial performances from Hula Hālau Lani Ola led by Puanani Jung, and Adelia Sandoval and the Acjachemen Nation. The arrival included welcome speeches from Acjachemen Chairwoman Teresa Romero, Mayor of Dana Point Rick Viczorek, Ocean Institute CEO Dan Pingaro, State Senator Patricia Bates, and Hikianalia Captain Mark Ellis.

Hikianalia Captain Mark Ellis

“We have a saying in Hawaiʻi, he waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa, our canoe is an island, our island is a canoe,” said captain Ellis. “As we live these values of sustainability, of taking care of our ocean, taking care of our island, we look to the canoe. Everything we have and need is on that canoe… like that canoe, this is the only Island Earth we have and we must take care of it,” he added.

Hula Hālau Lani Ola led by Puanani Jung

During the one week stop in Dana Point, the crew will host crew presentations, screenings of Disney’s Moana, and dockside canoe tours which will give the public an opportunity to learn about traditional Polynesian voyaging and the mission of the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Alahula Kai o Maleka Hikianalia California Voyage.

After a 2,800-mile voyage from Hawaiʻi to Northern California using traditional non-instrument navigation, Polynesian voyaging canoe Hikianalia and her crew have been sailing down the coast of California. On Oct. 30, Hikianalia is scheduled to depart Dana Point for San Diego where the crew will visit for approximately two weeks before concluding their California tour. The weather window to return to Hawaiʻi begins Nov. 15 around which time a fourth crew of voyagers will arrive from the islands to replace the current crew. Below is a tentative port schedule for the California Voyage.. Please check Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.