Hokulea’s maiden voyage celebrated at Iolani Palace 50 years later

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Celebrations took place at Iolani Palace over the weekend for the 50th anniversary of Hokulea’s maiden voyage to Tahiti.

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Sunday’s event was hosted by the Iolani Palace and the Inspiration Hawaii Museum.

Original crew members were welcomed with hula and music.

They were panel discussions, reflecting on the maiden voyage and sharing fond memories aboard Hokulea,

The discussion also covered the ways Hokulea continues to extend her legacy to this day.

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“When you talk about personality for Hokulea, she is Mama Hokulea. She’s now Grandma Hokulea,” said Brandi Cutler from the Polynesian Voyaging Society. “There’s lots of descendant canoes from her, and some of them are here with us today.”

The Hokulea event was part of Iolani Palace’s Kamaaina Sundays, which invites the community to join every second Sunday of each month to learn about and celebrate Hawaiian Culture.

“For those of us who weren’t here before Hokulea was here, we just have this vast open beautiful future because of her and folks like Nainoa and all the crew that have made sure we we’ve held on to her and what she can bring,” Cutler said.

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