Historic Voyaging Canoe Hōkūleʻa To Visit Maritime Museum Of San Diego
SAN DIEGO, CA – Maritime Museum of San Diego, with an international reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining, and operating historic vessels, welcomes the legendary Hawaiian canoe Hōkūleʻa, known for reviving the lost art of Polynesian voyaging and navigation to the Maritime Museum of San Diego Wednesday, November 8, 2023. The traditional double-hulled canoe has been sailing from Southeast Alaska down the Pacific Coast since June 2023, when the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) launched the Moananuiākea Voyage and began its four-year circumnavigation of the Pacific. Hōkūleʻa recently completed her circumnavigation of the earth, navigating entirely using ancient forms of navigation from over a thousand years ago. Weather-permitting, Hōkūleʻa will stop in San Diego before heading back to Hawaiʻi prior to continuing the circumnavigation of the Pacific.
Raymond Ashley, Ph.D., K.C.I., President/CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego states “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to host Hōkūleʻa’s visit to San Diego. She arrives at a time when we celebrate San Diego’s iconic Star of India and her 160th Birthday as the world’s oldest active sailing ship. We are so excited that and our festivities can include the Hawaiian canoe in the commemorative sail activities planned for November 11 and 12.” This sailing is especially memorable because Star of India is the last ship still sailing which once flew the flag of the Kingdom of Hawaii (before it became a US territory) during her working life. To honor Hōkūleʻa’s visit, she will fly that flag once again during the sails.
Dr. Ashley adds, “Following the Star Celebration Sail weekend, we are also honored to open our doors for public canoe tours and draw support for the Polynesian Voyage Society’s mission and encourage aid for the terrible damage Hawaiians have experienced since the recent devastating fires in Maui.”
Hōkūleʻa crew will be giving the public several opportunities to join in the celebration of Hōkūleʻa’s awe-inspiring voyage and the movement to care for the earth and its oceans.
Visiting hours, and rules
Friday, November 10
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.Monday, November 13
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.Rules
All visitors must check-in at Polynesian Voyaging Society tent prior to your tour. Signed waiver required. Tours are first come first served, space is limited, no guarantees you will get a tour. Thank you for your patience.
-FREE for all visitors: Hōkūleʻa tours only, excludes entrance to the Maritime Museum’s fleet and exhibits.
-Paid General Admission guests, and Museum Members, you must still check-in at Polynesian Voyaging Society tent prior to your touring Hōkūleʻa
Wednesday, November 8, 4:00 p.m. welcome ceremony at Maritime Museum of San Diego in conjunction with Waterfront Park led by Kumeyaay Nation. No Tours available on this day.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego is located at Star of India wharf, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 between Grape, and Ash Street. The Museum is open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ticket booth closes at 4:00 p.m. with last visitor admission at 4:00 p.m.
Video Overview of Moananuiākea Voyage:
About the Maritime Museum of San Diego
The Maritime Museum of San Diego experience includes admission to a world-class collection of historic sailing ships, steam-powered boats, and submarine, each offering entertaining and educational exhibits. The 501c3 non-profit Museum enjoys an international reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining, and operating historic vessels including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, Star of India. Maritime Museum of San Diego is ranked as one of the nation’s top attractions offering self-guided tours, docent guided-group tours, tall ship charters, year round public events, educational programs, and a distinctive venue for corporate/private events. The Museum is open daily along Star of India Wharf at 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-3309.
About Hōkūleʻa
A symbol of cultural revival, Hōkūleʻa’s story is being shared on this journey to inspire other indigenous communities. This replica of an ancient Polynesian voyaging canoe was built 49 years ago and revitalized voyaging and navigation traditions throughout the Pacific. The canoe’s twin hulls allow her to handle large ocean swells and recover easily in the troughs of waves, and her triangular canvas sails can harness winds up to 20 knots. Hōkūleʻa first set out on the Pacific Ocean in 1975. Through the revival of the traditional art and science of wayfinding–navigating the sea guided by nature using the ocean swells, stars, and wind–Hōkūleʻa sparked a Hawaiian cultural renaissance and has reawakened the world’s sense of pride and strength as voyagers charting a course for
our Island Earth. Hōkūle’a continues to bring people together from all walks of life. She is more than a voyaging canoe—she represents the common desire shared by the people of Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, and the World to protect our most cherished values and places from disappearing. hokulea.com/voyaging-canoes/
About Polynesian Voyaging Society
The Polynesian Voyaging Society was founded in 1973 on a legacy of Pacific Ocean
exploration, seeking to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, one another, and their natural and cultural environments. hokulea.com/about/