sign in sign up
<<
Home , Hula, Malia (canoe), Pwo, Satawal, Sheet (sailing)

MEDIA KIT

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sonja Swenson Rogers Polynesian Voyaging Society [email protected] (808) 745-3386

Christine Matsuda Smith Bennet Group [email protected] (808) 753-7134 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Arrival Hōkūle‘a Homecoming 7-8:00 AM Four local ‘a kaulua head to Magic Island marina. Ceremony and · Arrival Times: 7:00 – Nāmāhoe / 7:30 Mo‘okiha / 7:45 Makali‘i / 8:00 Hawai‘iloa Celebration · Transport and arrival protocols for each of the four wa‘a at mauka boat ramp. · A kia‘i and a chanter will escort each crew to ceremony site. Magic Island 8:30 Okeanos and Fa‘afaite head to Magic Island marina. Saturday, June 17, 2017 · Arrival Times: 8:15 Okeanos / 8:30 Fa‘afaite 7:00am to 5:30pm · Transport and arrival protocols for each of the two wa‘a at mauka boat ramp. · Kia‘i to separately escort each crew to the ceremony holding area. The culmination of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, 9:00 Hikianalia enters marina and docks along bank. Hōkūle‘a enters Hōkūle‘a’s historic return to Hawai‘i marina and ties up to floating dock at Marker 7. on June 17, 2017 will be celebrated at 9:30 Hikianalia crew is transported to floating dock. Magic Island, O‘ahu, with a cultural Hikianalia and Hōkūle‘a crews disembark and are escorted to special welcoming ceremony followed by an 9:45 demarcated area on the bank for arrival protocols. Hōkūle‘a and all-day grand celebration open to Hikianalia crews are then escorted to Kāli‘i site where they are joined by the entire community. the full crews of Fa‘afaite and Okeanos, and two leaders from each of the four local wa‘a. 10:00 Kāli‘i Rite conducted by Hale Mua. 10:15 Wa‘a leadership and crews are led to seating in the tent. Public fills in the ceremonial space and prepares for the formal ceremony. Homecoming Ceremony 10:30 Wehena – Opening: · Pū · Oli Wehe/Oli Aloha - Manu Boyd · Pule Ho‘omaika‘i - Kahu Danny Kaniela Akaka, Jr. & PVS ‘Ohana · Oli: “Pō Kahiki i Ka Uahi Ē” - Snowbird Bento · Oli: “Mele a Kaha‘i” - Kalani Akana 10:45 ‘Aha ‘Awa: · of Preparation and Serving - Lāiana Kānoa-Wong · PVS & ‘Ohana Wa‘a Leadership (5); special seating on stage for ‘awa · Key Dignitaries & Special Guests (5); special seating on stage for ‘awa 11:05 Ha‘i‘ōlelo 1: Governor David Ige – 5 min. 11:15 Ha‘i‘ōlelo 2: Mayor Kirk Caldwell – 5 min. 11:25 Ha‘i‘ōlelo 3: OHA CEO Kamana‘opono Crabbe – 5 min. After speech, ‘awa participants return to reserved seats; strike chairs, move podium 11:35 Hō‘ike: Lt. Gov. Byron Mallot of Alaska makes presentation 11:45 Mele: “Mālama Honua Welo i ka Ni‘o” - Manu Boyd leads audience in new song 11:55 : “A Ko‘olau Au—Kaulilua—‘Au‘a ‘Ia” - Multiple hālau hula 12:10 Ha‘i‘ōlelo 4: PVS President – 15 min. 12:25 Panina – Closing: · “Hawai‘i’s Pride by Eddie Aikau” – Ken Makuakāne leads audience; cue video of Aikau and Hōkū & Hiki. Emcees acknowledge audience and crew—segue to lunch. 12:30 Pū 12:30-1 PM Break – Lunch – Screening of Mālama Honua Voyage Highlights— Resent Tent SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Ho‘olaulea‘a Concert 1-1:20 (20) OLOMANA - Jerry Santos, Haunani Apoliona, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, Ryan Tang. 1:20-1:30 (10) MC fill: 1:30-1:45 (15) JON OSORIO, Duncan and Jamaica. “Hawaiian Eye” & “Hawaiian Soul” (cue Helm & Aikau footage). 1:45-1:50 (5) MC fill: 1:50-2:20 (30) KAPENA: Kelly Boy, Kapena, Kalena, Lilo De Lima End with song “Hōkūle‘a, Mālama Honua” (cue NY footage). 2:20-2:30 (10) MC fill: 2:30-2:55 (25) KEAUHOU: Zack & Nick Lum and Kahanuola Solatorio Spontaneous hula by multiple hālau in the audience. 2:55-3:00 (5) MC fill: 3:00-3:10 (10) AULI‘I CARVALHO: “How Far I’ll Go” with soundtrack (cue “Moana” footage) 3:10-3:15 (5) MC fill: 3:15-3:30 (15) LEON & 3:30-3:35 (5) MC fill: 3:35-3:45 (10) STEVE GRIMES: “Ocean Road” Parking: · No general parking in Magic Island, 3:45-3:50 (5) MC fill: strictly enforced 3:50-4:10 (20) KAINANI KAHAUNAELE, Ānuenue Pūnua, Mahina Paishon Duarte · Limited handicap parking in Magic 4:10-4:15 (5) MC fill: Island, must have placard-holder in 4:15-4:40 (25) MANA the car with ID, strictly enforced 4:40-4:45 (5) MC fill: · Encouraging public transportation and off-site parking to alleviate 4:45-5:20 (35) JOHN CRUZ, BROTHER NOLAND & PAULA FUGA expected congestion; 5:20-5:25 (5) MC & NAINOA Mahalo to audience · HPD may shut down Ala Moana 5:25-5:30 (30) “Hawai‘i Aloha” – JOHN, BROTHER NOLAND & PAULA – Program Pau Park Drive as needed 5:30 Saga of Hōkūle‘a CD/Various video clips on screen · Offsite parking available with shuttles running as needed from 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM · Free parking at McKinley High School, enter at Pensacola St. Food: · Paid parking at Hawai‘i Convention · Participating vendors will be using compostable items; no one-time use plastics Center, enter at Kalakaua Ave. · PVS encourages reusable water bottles, filtered water stations For most updated and more provided by Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation information: www.Hokulea.com · Participating food vendors: Ahi Ambassadors Da Spot Other: Hale Kealoha · Pop-up tents only allowed around IL Gelato perimeter of multi-purpose field L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Hawaiian Plate and Mix Plate · No tours or entry onto Hōkūle‘a Teddy’s Bigger Burgers · PVS commemorative Homecoming Waimānalo Country Farms t-shirts available for sale FACT SHEET

The Mālama Honua Facts and Figures: The Wa‘a (traditional Worldwide Voyage • Hōkūle‘a – Approximately voyaging canoes) The Worldwide Voyage, sponsored 40,300 nautical miles traveled • Hōkūle‘a, the Polynesian by Hawaiian Airlines, began in • Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia will Voyaging Society’s legendary 2013with a Mālama Hawai‘i have covered a combined wa‘a (traditional voyaging around the Hawaiian 60,000 nautical miles canoe), was first launched in archipelago. Since then, Hōkūle‘a • More than 150 ports visited 1975. Through her voyages, and Hikianalia, the Polynesian Hōkūle‘a has sparked a Voyaging Society’s voyaging • 23 countries and territories reawakening of Hawaiian canoes have been across visited culture, language, identity Earth’s oceans using only ancient • Eight UNESCO World Heritage and revitalized voyaging wayfinding practices as part of a Marine sites visited and navigation traditions global movement toward a more • 245 participating crew throughout the Pacific Ocean. sustainable world. The Hawaiian members • Hikianalia, a modern Polynesian name for this journey, Mālama • Over 200 formal and informal voyaging canoe and sister Honua, means “to care for our educators participated as crew canoe to the Hōkūle‘a, uses Earth” and this mission seeks to members on the Worldwide sustainable solar and wind engage communities worldwide Voyage and Statewide Sail energy to combine the latest on practicing how to live ecological technology with sustainability while sharing the the heritage of the voyaging , learning from Notable friends of the voyage tradition. She is equipped the past and from each other, include: His Holiness the Dalai with the communications creating global relationships, and Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, technology that will allow inspiring action to care for our Secretary of State John Kerry, Sir us to connect to the global Island Earth. At its completion in Richard Branson, Dr. Sylvia Earle, community. June 2017, the voyage of Hōkūle‘a Jackson Browne, United Nations and Hikianalia will have covered a Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, combined 60,000 nautical miles, Sally Jewell, Republic of over 150 ports, and 23 countries President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. and territories worldwide. and more. FACT SHEET

Traditional Navigation The Worldwide Voyage uses traditional Polynesian wayfinding techniques, including observations of the stars, the sun, the ocean swells, the winds, birds, and other signs of nature. As the first modern-day Polynesian to learn and use wayfinding for long-distance, open-ocean voyaging, Nainoa Thompson has led the revival of this traditional Pacific art and science. Throughout the voyage, the crew has shared the art of Polynesian wayfinding with students of all ages around the world.

The Crew Hōkūle‘a is sailed by a crew of 12-13 and Hikianalia is sailed by a crew of 14-16. The crew has rotated out at major ports of call, training in in preparation for subsequent legs. The Polynesian Voyaging Society prepared for the Worldwide Voyage for more than six years, including two years of intensive crew training. The voyage focused on training the next generation of navigators and voyagers, who in 2017 have been responsible for guiding Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia back to after circumnavigating the globe. These young crew members have embodied the mission of Mālama Honua, and on their travels, continue to inspire others to care for our Island Earth. FACT SHEET

Awards and Recognitions

Hōkūle‘a Crew • One of the 10 Most Inspiring Adventurers of the Year by National Geographic (2016) • One of the nine ‘Islanders of the Year,’ HONOLULU Magazine (2017)

Nainoa Thompson • NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award (2016) • BLUE Ocean Film Festival Legacy Award (2016) • Peter Benchley Ocean Award for Excellence in Marine Exploration (2015) • National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal (2016) • University of Hawai‘i Honorary Degree Recipient (2016) • David Malo Award presented by the West Honolulu Rotary Club (2016) • 2017 Explorers Club Medal (2017)

Global Speaking Engagements Ocean Commitments and Declarations

• UN Ocean Conference (2017) 1. Promise to Children • National Institute of Health (2016) 2. Promise to Pae‘Āina • United Nations World Oceans Day (2016) 3. UN Message in a Bottle • U.S. State Dept. Our Ocean Conference (2016) 4. Palau Declaration • International Union for Conservation of Nature 5. The Pacific Oceanscape Vision (2016) 6. • Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) UN Conference 7. America Sāmoa on Small Island 8. Western Indian Ocean Marine Science • Developing States (SIDS) (2014) Association 9. WIPCE Youth Declaration 10. US State Department Message in a Bottle 11. 2030 Pacific Ocean Partnership 12. Hawai‘i 30 by 30 MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release: June 9, 2017 OVERVIEW OF MEDIA After Three-Year Journey, Legendary Voyaging Canoes OPPORTUNITIES: Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia Return Home Homecoming Ceremony and Celebration Hawai‘i Celebrates with Homecoming Ceremony and Saturday, June 17 Mālama Honua Fair and Summit Magic Island 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Hōkūle‘a has successfully circumnavigated the globe, and on June 17, Hawai‘i will welcome her home. The historic day will include a Mālama Honua Fair and Summit cultural welcoming ceremony followed by a grand celebration with Sunday, June 18 – Tuesday, entertainment, food booths and Voyage video highlights. Continuing June 20 the festivities, a series of additional homecoming festivities are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. planned during the week following arrival. The Mālama Honua Fair and Hawai‘i Convention Center Summit, a three-day event, will emphasize the voyaging, cultural and 1801 Kalakaua Ave environmental missions of the Worldwide Voyage by sharing mālama honua “stories of hope” and voyage-inspired activities with the public. Advanced media credentialing will be required for access to the Inspirational Speaker Series events listed below. Media access will be strictly limited to those with Monday, June 19 credentials secured in advance. Please visit https://goo.gl/forms/ Hawai‘i Convention Center GZgGpqSAFF8cJk3G3 to request media credentials for upcoming 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. events. Tickets: $125 per person EVENT DETAILS

Saturday, June 17 Media check-in: Homecoming Ceremony and Celebration Media will be required to register Magic Island, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and obtain access passes at the media tent at Magic Island before proceeding to media Hawai‘i’s iconic voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a will conclude its epic three- vantage point. Please register year sail around the globe and return home to the Hawaiian Islands. for credentials and access here. The mission of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage sponsored Media access will be strictly by Hawaiian Airlines was to weave a of hope around the world limited to those with credentials through sharing indigenous wisdom, groundbreaking conservation and secured in advance. preservation initiatives while learning from the past and from each other, creating global relationships, and discovering the wonders of the Island Earth.

Program Details (subject to change): • 7:00 - 8:00 a.m., Four local voyaging canoes arrive at Magic Island • 8:30 a.m., Two canoes, Okeanos Marshall Island and Fa‘afaite, from the Pacific arrive at Magic Island • 9:00 a.m., Hikianalia and Hōkūle‘a sail into Ala Wai Boat Harbor Channel with several escort canoes • 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Welcome Ceremony • 12:30 p.m., Press conference and media availability • 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Hōkūle‘a Homecoming Ho‘olaule‘a featuring entertainment, food booths, voyage video highlights, etc.

June 17 Parking Information: • McKinley High School, 1039 South King St • Free, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. • Shuttle departs frequently from Pensacola Street • Parking attendants present • Enter parking from Pensacola Street • Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalakaua Ave • $10 per day, 7:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. • Shuttle departs frequently from the ground floor. • Enter the parking from Kalakaua Avenue, Makai bound EVENT MAP

Bike Valet Kupuna Tent Water Station

Toilet Trailer 1 82’X113’ KITV 1 Ceremony Accessible Toilets Tent

Generators Water Station

Toilet Trailer 2 KITV Truck 2 Sound Towers KHON Set Light Pole Generator General Press Decks Backstage (bike rack) MĀLAMA HONUA FAIR AND SUMMIT

Sunday, June 18 – Tuesday, June 20, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalakaua Ave

The summit will highlight the voyaging, cultural, environmental, educational and health and well-being missions of the Worldwide Voyage. The public will be able to step onboard Hōkūle‘a during canoe tours at the Ala Wai Promenade. The event will also feature voyage-inspired merchandise including books, DVDs and clothing. Summit sessions will inspire attendees with breathtaking stories from the round-the-world voyage. Leaders will call for commitments from attendees and their communities to carry the values of Mālama Honua - caring for our Island Earth - into the future.

Monday, June 19 Inspirational Speaker Series Hawai‘i Convention Center, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tickets: $125 per person

The Mālama Honua inspirational speaker series will feature standout local and global speakers who have touched the canoes and their crews during the worldwide voyage. Due to expected volume of demand, reservations are highly encouraged at www.hokulea.com/summit. MĀLAMA HONUA FAIR AND SUMMIT

Featured speakers include: Megan Smith, 3rd Chief Byron Mallott, Lt. Governor, State Jean-Michel Cousteau Technology Officer, of Alaska The son of ocean explorer Jacques Former Vice President of Google As the former CEO of Alaska Cousteau, Jean-Michel has [x], a Google facility that develops Native corporation Sealaska, investigated the world’s oceans the company’s “moonshots,” or Mallott supported the gifting of aboard Calypso and Alcyone high-achieving technological two 200-foot-long Sitka spruce for much of his life. Cousteau is advancements. Smith was logs for the building of deep the founder of Ocean Futures also Vice President of Business sea Hawaiian voyaging canoe Society and has produced over Development at Google for nine Hawai‘iloa. Mallott, now Alaska’s 80 films, received the Emmy, the years and served as general lieutenant governor is a major Peabody Award, the Sept d’Or, manager of Google.org, the advocate for climate change and the Cable Ace Award, and is a company’s social impact arm. action and is currently working syndicated columnist for the to advance environmentally- Los Angeles Times. Dieter Paulmann, Founder and conscious policies. Chairman, Okeanos Foundation Captain Don Walsh for the Sea Sylvia Earle, Founder of Mission Oceanographer, explorer, and Since 2007, The Okeanos Blue and SEAlliance, Ocean Elder former submarine captain. With Foundation has been working National Geographic Society a long and storied career in with voyaging societies across the Explorer in Residence Dr. Sylvia undersea systems, Walsh was the Pacific to develop and build a fleet A. Earle, called Her Deepness first submersible pilot in the U.S. of seven traditionally designed, by the New Yorker and the New and has made 25 expeditions to fossil fuel-free double masted York Times, Living Legend by the the Arctic. Vaka Moanas representing 10 Library of Congress, and first Hero island nations for a 2-year voyage for the Planet by Time Magazine. Nainoa Thompson, President, across the Pacific inspiring a Earle an oceanographer, explorer, Polynesian Voyaging Society renaissance in traditional vaka author and lecturer. Formerly navigator and mentor to culture, ocean stewardship and Chief Scientist of NOAA, Earle an entire generation of young engagement. Today, Okeanos’ is the Founder of Deep Ocean voyagers, Thompson has played new vaka technology connects Exploration and Research, Inc., a central role in the resurgence of the past with the future including Founder of Mission Blue and Polynesian wayfinding. Through solar panels and coconut oil- SEAlliance, Chair of the Advisory the Worldwide Voyage, Thompson fueled engines for fossil-fuel Councils of the Harte Research has helped draw awareness to the free transport of people, food, Institute, and the Ocean in Google importance of using traditional medicine, and supplies between Earth. wisdom and indigenous science South Pacific Islands. to solve the world’s most pressing environmental concerns, sharing the values of Mālama Honua-- caring for our Island Earth. MĀLAMA HONUA FAIR AND SUMMIT

About Hōkūle‘a: About the Polynesian A symbol of cultural revival, the history of Hōkūle‘a is also being shared Voyaging Society: on this journey to inspire other indigenous cultures. This replica of The Polynesian Voyaging Society an ancient Polynesian voyaging canoe was built 40 years ago and was founded in 1973 on a legacy of revitalized voyaging and navigation traditions throughout the Pacific. Pacific Ocean exploration, seeking The canoe’s twin hulls allow her to handle large ocean swells and to perpetuate the art and science recover easily in the troughs of waves, and her triangular canvas of traditional Polynesian voyaging can harness winds up to 20 knots. Hōkūle‘a first set out on the Pacific and the spirit of exploration Ocean in 1976. Through the revival of the traditional art and science of through experiential educational wayfinding-navigating the sea guided by nature using the ocean swells, programs that inspire students stars, and wind, Hōkūle‘a sparked a Hawaiian cultural renaissance and and their communities to respect has reawakened the world’s sense of pride and strength as voyagers and care for themselves, one charting a for our Island Earth. other, and their natural and cultural environments.

For more information about the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Worldwide Voyage, visit www.hokulea.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Google+. MULTIMEDIA ASSETS

To access iconic photos and b-roll from the Worldwide Voyage, visit www.hokulea.com/press-room/

To access b-roll, interviews and still photographs from Hōkūle‘a’s historic homecoming to Magic Island, visit https://drive.google.com/drive/

Note: assets will be available by 8:00 a.m. HST on June 18, 2017. BIOGRAPHIES

NAINOA THOMPSON PWO NAVIGATOR, CAPTAIN, PRESIDENT OF THE POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY

Over the past 35 years, Nainoa Thompson has inspired and led a revival of the traditional arts associated with long-distance ocean voyaging in Hawai‘i and throughout Polynesia. He is the first Hawaiian to practice the art of wayfinding on long distance ocean voyages since such voyaging ended in Hawai‘i around the 14th century. He studied traditional non-instrument navigation under Micronesian master navigator Pius of , . Nainoa now teaches a system of wayfinding, ro non-instrument navigation, that he developed by synthesizing traditional principles of ancient Pacific navigation and modern science. Devoted to education, Mr. Thompson continues to develop and implement a multi- disciplined, culturally relevant program focused on teaching children of Hawai‘i the values of Polynesian voyaging. The program emphasizes both traditional and modern scientific knowledge of the environment, and stresses the importance of ecocultural principles of conservation toward ensuring a safe, healthy, sustainable future for Hawai‘i and Island Earth. Mr. Thompson is a graduate of and the University of Hawai‘i, where he earned a BA in Ocean Science. He is a licensed commercial boat pilot and certified advanced diver. He is the recipient of numerous community awards, including the Unsung Hero of Compassion, awarded to him in 2001 by His Holiness XIV Dalai Lama on behalf of the organization Wisdom in Action; and the Native Hawaiian Education Association’s Manomano Ka ‘Ike (Depth and Breadth of Knowledge) Educator of the Year Award. Nainoa currently serves as a member of the Ocean Elders and as president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

BRUCE BLANKENFELD PWO NAVIGATOR, CAPTAIN, POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY

Bruce Blankenfeld became involved with the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) in 1977 by volunteering on Hōkūle‘a training sails and with construction and repair of the wa‘a kaulua in drydock. Since then, he has voyaged thousands of miles throughout Polynesia, , Vancouver, Alaska and . Through extensive training and experience, while sailing more than 100,000 miles, he became a master navigator – using traditional, non-instrument methods. He led Hōkūle‘a’s recent, extensive renovation, and is currently the Voyaging Director for PVS’s Worldwide Voyage, as well as the Vice Chair of the PVS Board of Directors. Mr. Blankenfeld is a popular and inspiring lecturer on Polynesian navigating, voyaging and wayfinding. Mr. Blankenfeld is a fisherman who remains active in the community as a paddler, coach and president of the Board of Directors of Hui Nalu Canoe Club. He is a long-time member and kayaker with the Hawai‘i Canoe & Team, and works fulltime as a stevedoring contractor for McCabe, Hamilton & Renny. BIOGRAPHIES

CHAD KALEPA BAYBAYAN PWO NAVIGATOR, CAPTAIN, POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY

Chad Kālepa Baybayan holds a Masters in Education, is fluent in the , and is captain and navigator of the Hawaiian deep-sea voyaging canoes Hōkūle‘a, Hawai‘iloa, and Hōkūalaka‘i. He has been an active participant in the Polynesian voyaging renaissance since 1975 and has sailed on all major voyages throughout the South Pacific, the West Coast of North America, Micronesia, and Japan. Kālepa was the past Site Director of Honuakai, the Exploration Sciences Division of ‘Aha Pūnana Leo Inc., which teaches Hawaiian through an immersive environment to the crew aboard the Hōkūalaka‘i. He currently serves as Navigator in Residence at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i, developing wayfinding curriculum and conducting outreach activities. In 2007, Kālepa and four other Hawaiian men were initiated into the order of Pwo, a two thousand year old society of deep-sea oceanic navigators by histeacher, Master Navigator Mau Piailug on the island of Satawal.

BILLY RICHARDS CAPTAIN, POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY Billy Richards has been a vital part of the Polynesian Voyaging Society since its inception and was a crewmember on the inaugural 1976 voyage of the Hōkūle‘a. Richards serves as a director on several public service, Native Hawaiian and educational boards, including Paepae O He‘eia, Bishop Museum Association Council, and ‘Aha Kāne. He has held management positions in both the public and private sector, primarily in the field of aquaculture. He spent close to two decades at The Oceanic Institute, a private non-profit research organization. Currently, Billy is the Director of Communications for Partners in Development Foundation, a public not-for-profit company that serves the Native Hawaiian community through social and educational programs. He has been involved with Hawai‘i’s voyaging community since 1975 and has voyaged aboard the wa‘a kaulua (double-hulled voyaging canoes) Hōkūle‘a, Hawai‘iloa, Makali‘i and Hokualaka‘i throughout the Pacific. He is presently the President of “The Friends of Hōkūle‘a and Hawai‘iloa” and serves as co-chair of ‘Ohana Wa‘a, a round-table collaborative of voyaging organizations from all of the Hawaiian Islands. MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sonja Swenson Rogers Polynesian Voyaging Society [email protected] (808) 745-3386

Christine Matsuda Smith Bennet Group [email protected] (808) 753-7134