Leg 4: Sāmoa

< 2014 Sāmoa

The international portion of the Worldwide Voyage began with a return to Tahiti, Hōkūleʻa’s second home. Crew paid tribute to the founding teachers that made our modern voyage possible: Mau Piailug, Eddie Aikau, Lacy Veach, Herb Kane, Pinky Thompson, and Will Kyselka, among others. We also paid our respects to our Pacific cousins, with whom we share our routes and our origins, and from whom we continue to learn. For the first time in 18 years, we returned Hōkūleʻa to the beach that was given her name in Papeʻete. Residents of the fishing village there teach us about extraordinary kindness and compassion through their everyday actions. It is a kindness and mutual respect that will help establish the new generation of relationships between youth in Hawaiʻi and Tahiti. The island of Raiatea is a sacred site for perpetuating Polynesian navigation throughout the Pacific Ocean. The original name for Taputapuātea is “Hawaiʻi Iki,” a place that served as a school of wayfinding. Navigators learned to carefully study and revere nature for direction, and to value exploration and connection.

Crewmember Roster

Hōkūle‘a

Nainoa Thompson

Pwo Navigator

PVS Member since 19750131

Daniel Lin

Eric Co

Henk Rogers

Jenna Ishii

Apprentice Navigator

PVS Member since 20080601

Kawai Warren

Lehua Kamalu

Apprentice Navigator

PVS Member since 20091201

Marcel Honore

Michi Wong

Medical Officer

Timi Gilliom

Fisherman

PVS Member since 19961002

Nāʻālehu Anthony

Media Specialist

PVS Member since 19951031

Rex Lokeni

Celeste Ha’o

Sam Kapoi

Media Specialist

Hikianalia

Robert “Bob” Perkins

Senior Captain

PVS Member since 20001031

Kalepa Baybayan

Pwo Navigator, Captain

PVS Member since 19750101

Keli Takenaga

Quartermaster

PVS Member since 19951031

Kula Barbieto

Mary Anna Enriquez

Maui Tauotaha

Mel Chang

Nicole “Niki” Puʻuwailani Kamalu

Electronic Technician

PVS Member since 20091031

Ryan Hanohano

Watch Captain

PVS Member since 20131031

Saki Uchida

Assistant Quartermaster

PVS Member since 20071031

Adam Jenkins

Brad Wong

Navigation Team

Linda Furuto

Stories, Blogs, and Galleries from this Leg:

More from this voyage leg

Keep American Sāmoa Beautiful
December 10, 2014 inEnvironment Malama Honua Selects Video Stories
During their time in American Sāmoa, crewmembers learned how each person can take responsibility to keep our environments pristine.
Blog | Michi Wong: Sennit of LIfe, Apa of Love
October 16, 2014 inCrew Blogs Voyaging
I am filled with awe of dazzling atolls, the vast expanse of deep blue, the navigator silhouette against the heavens, the spirit of dance and hā, strength, perseverance, courage, bumps, bruises, blood and sweat, muscles aching, hearts yearning.
Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: The Navigatorʻs Journey
October 16, 2014 inCrew Blogs Leadership Voyaging
For myself, it has been a great pleasure meeting old friends as we sailed across the central Pacific and to introduce new crew members to the many island communities we visited.
One Ocean, One Island Earth: Pacific Marine Monument Now the Largest
September 26, 2014 inEnvironment Featured
Mahalo for the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument, now the largest marine protected area in the world