Crew Profile

Dan Kinzer

Hometown

Makiki, Oʻahu

Voyage(s)

Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 6: Vancouver to Seattle

Bio

Dan was born in Los Angeles, California near the traditional territory boundaries of the Chumash and Tongva peoples, but is a citizen of the world, having traveled through and lived in nearly 100 countries, all major oceans and continents. Now he calls Hawaiʻi home, where he is Expedition Guide and Lead Community Technologist at the Purple Maiʻa Foundation.

It was in 2018 following the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage that Dan first sailed on Hōkūleʻa - from Oʻahu’s Sand Island to Ko Olina during the Mahalo Hawaiʻi sail. Dan says “Mama Hōkū is a kumu, a honua, and a reminder of the genius of the Hawaiian, Polynesian and Ocean peoples - in ancient times, today and into the future.” He calls Hōkūleʻa “a vessel of hope” largely because of those who sail her and care for her and her mission. He says in terms of this voyage, “The people of Moananuiākea are our best hope for protecting this vast sea and our one and only Blue Planet. The opportunity to connect with the millions of navigators - past, present and future - and to hear their stories and visions is what inspires me the most.”

When out at sea, Dan says he misses “time with my ʻohana,” and what he misses about being at sea when back on land is “being so deeply connected and aware of all of the elements in Nature.”