Crew Profile

Bruce Blankenfeld

Hometown

Niu Valley, Honolulu

Voyage(s)

Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 2: Yakutat to Juneau, Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 4: Ketchikan to Prince Rupert, Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 6: Vancouver to Seattle, Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 7: Tacoma to San Francisco, Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 8: San Francisco to Ventura

Bio

Bruce Blankenfeld first sailed on Hōkūleʻa during training sails in 1977 and volunteered in dry dock, learning how to care for Hokuleʻa from his mentor Wally Froiseth. He also studied non-instrument navigation under Nainoa Thompson and Master Navigator Mau Piailug, who honored him with Pwo in 2007.

Bruce has voyaged tens of thousands of miles across Polynesia, the Pacific and the world as captain and navigator of Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia. He leads repairs and maintenance of both canoes and serves as Voyaging Director and board member for PVS, while also working as a stevedore.