Hauʻoli Lā Hānau, Hikianalia! 🌺

Today we celebrate 14 years of Hikianalia! She was born on September 15, 2012 in Aotearoa.

For 14 years, she has sailed alongside Hōkūleʻa, carrying our people, our stories and our ʻike across Moananuiākea. She is more than a voyaging canoe – she is a teacher, a storyteller, an important educational platform that allows generations to experience and better understand the realities of traditional voyaging, and a guardian over Mama Hōkūle’a and crew, ensuring their safety on deep-sea, long distance voyages.

Mahalo e Hikianalia, for the stories you continue to share through the places you travel, the people you meet and the communities you connect. Through your journeys, we gain a deeper understanding of the ocean, navigation, mālama ʻāina and the relationships that connect us across Moananuiākea.

Mahalo for your strength and your companionship alongside Hōkūleʻa, and for helping to mālama and watch over her as we continue to carry forward the legacy of our kūpuna.

May you continue to sail with purpose, share ʻike, inspire our keiki and strengthen the connections between our ocean communities.

Hauʻoli lā hānau, Hikianalia.

14 years of voyaging, learning, teaching and connecting.

September 15, 2026 – Aotearoa: The Leg 16 crew celebrates Hikianalia’s 14th birthday.

Learn More About Hikianalia!

Hikianalia is more than a voyaging canoe—she is a vessel of knowledge, connection, and mālama for our ocean and communities. In this episode of Nā Moʻolelo Moananuiākea, Pwo Navigator Bruce Blankenfeld shares the story of Hikianalia, from her name and origins to her purpose and place within the tradition of Polynesian voyaging.

Through her story, we gain a deeper understanding of why Hikianalia was built, what she represents, and how she continues to carry the legacy of our kūpuna forward for future generations.

Watch the episode above to learn more about Hikianalia and the story behind the waʻa we celebrate today.