Legendary voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa is continuing to visit communities in the New England area. The canoe was greeted by representatives from the Massachusett Tribe and a large crowd of residents when she arrived in Boston at Fan Pier on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. EST (11:00 a.m. HST). The Boston welcome ceremony also included performances by a Boston hula hālau, Samoan dancers and Native American dancers and drummers.
Massachusett Tribal member, Strong Medicine, gifts the crew decorated Turkey feathers as a symbol of the relationship formed here today.
Hōkūleʻa is scheduled to stay in Boston for four days during which the crew will hold public canoe tours, meet with local Native American communities, schools and maritime groups. Today, the public will have an opportunity to meet the crew and learn more about Polynesian wayfinding, ocean protection and the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage during a Talk Story event hosted by the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
The crew commemorates our waʻa by sharing the chant “Ia Waʻa Nui”
Prior to arriving in Boston, Hōkūleʻa spent three days in New Bedford, MA, where the crew conducted canoe tours and dockside activities. The canoe is scheduled to depart Boston on July 14, and then sail to Salem, MA.
Snake Ah Hee and Kaʻiulani Murphy in control of the steering sweep as Hōkūleʻa makes her way under bridges and through the Cape Cod Canal.Snake Ah Hee on the steering sweep as we pass through the Cape Cod canal.Kāne carries the star through the Cape Cod Canal.The Aikau family holds up an “Eddie Would Go” banner as Hōkūleʻa passes on lookers along the Cape Cod Canal.Brothers Mike and Tom Cunningham excited for their arrival to their home town of Boston.Brothers Mike and Tom Cunningham excited for their arrival to their home town of Boston.The city of Boston on the horizon.Hōkūleʻa nears the historical city of Boston.Mike “Irish” Cunningham reflects on the bow of Hōkūleʻa as his hometown of Boston draws nearer.Tom Cunningham and Sanke Ah Hee guide Hōkūleʻa into Boston harbor.Mike “Irish” Cunningham reflects on the bow of Hōkūleʻa as his hometown of Boston draws nearer.Outrigger paddlers paddle out to greet Hōkūleʻa as she makes her way into Boston Harbor.Hōkūleʻa nears the historical city of Boston.Brothers Tom and Mike Cunningham excited for their arrival to their home town of Boston.Captain Bruce, Tom, and Nancy make observations as we near the entrance to Fan Pier.Mike “Irish” Cunningham ready with the bow line.Hōkūleʻa slides into a waiting crowd in Bostonʻs Fan Pier.Hundreds gathered and awaited the arrival of Hōkūleʻa and her crew in the cold Boston weather.The crew asks permission to land with their welcoming chant, “Auē Ua Hiti Ē”The crew makes their way to the arrival ceremony grounds through cheering crowds.Urban Thunder, and intertribal drum group opens the space with a song.Urban Thunder, and intertribal drum group opens the space with a song.Massachusett Tribal member, Strong Medicine, gifts the crew decorated Turkey feathers as a symbol of the relationship formed here today.Massachusett Tribal member, Strong Medicine, gifts the crew decorated Turkey feathers as a symbol of the relationship formed here today.Massachusett Tribal member, Strong Medicine, gifts the crew decorated Turkey feathers as a symbol of the relationship formed here today.Massachusett Tribal member, Strong Medicine, gifts the crew decorated Turkey feathers as a symbol of the relationship formed here today.The elder of the tribe gifts tobacco to Captain Bruce Blankenfeld.Urban Thunder, and intertribal drum group opens the space with a song.Performers wait for their opportunity to welcome the crew with their traditional dance.Maya Saffery extends a gift of hula and mele to our hosts.Maya Saffery extends a gift of hula and mele to our hosts.Crewmember Kaleo Wong requests formal persmission that our waʻa and her crew be welcomed to this land.The crew commemorates our waʻa by sharing the chant “Ia Waʻa Nui”Captain Bruce Blankenfeld offers some words of insight to the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage.Hōkūleʻa Boston committee member and Hawaii local, Kelly Luis, thanks the crew and her committee members for helping to organize such a special arrival ceremony.Volunteers that helped organize Hōkūleʻaʻs arrival into Boston are given applause.
Help fund the Voyage as we sail the East Coast
Hōkūle‘a’s visit to the eastern United States is a historic milestone in her 40 years of voyaging.
Celebrate with us by pledging your support to the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage.
