Crew Profile

Peter Roney

Hometown

San Francisco, CA

Voyage(s)

Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 4: Ketchikan to Prince Rupert

Bio

Dr. Pete first sailed on a waʻa kaulua in 2006 and was soon voyaging long distance as a crew member and as an on-board doctor taking care of crew. He sailed on Hōkūleʻa during her 2007 voyage through Micronesia and Japan, has been to Papahānaumokuākea and was on several legs of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage.

To Dr. Pete, Hōkūleʻa means “Polynesia, and all that means to Polynesians, past and present, everywhere,” he says. “But beyond that, (Hōkūleʻa is) a powerful symbol of all that is possible on this planet if we believe hard enough, and do it together.” Thatʻs part of what he hopes is accomplished by voyaging, including on Moananuiākea, “to see even a small percentage of people become inspired to believe that by taking a stand and thinking about change, anything is possible.” He says he “would also like to support the succession of young voyagers and voyaging leaders.”

In addition to his family, itʻs the hot, cold, and dry of land-based life that he misses while out at sea: “very cold water to drink” and “a hot shower and dry clothes are nice to dream about.” When back in the comforts of everyday life, what he misses about voyaging beyond the sight of land are the “everyday interface with the vast, vast, beautiful ocean, and the crew.”