In honor of original 1976 crew member Buffalo Keaulana, Hōkūleʻa and her crew arrived in Mākaha at sunrise on February 15 for the opening of Buffaloʻs Big Board Surfing Classic.

By jet ski, the 90-year-old legend known affectionately as “Uncle Buff” encircled the canoe heʻs loved for 50 years off shore of Mākaha, the place he loves, where he worked as a lifeguard and where heʻs been holding the Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic now for 48 years. (Uncle Buff is the middle passenger on the lead jet ski in the video). Opening ceremony was this morning, and will have 14 categories over two weekends, February 15-17 and 22-23.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) is preparing to celebrate the 50th birthday of Hōkūleʻa on March 8, 2025. A series of public events have been planned for Hōkūleʻa’s 50th Birthday. This milestone marks a half-century of cultural revival, environmental advocacy, and a renewed connection to the earth and ocean.

Video by Alan Mozo and drone footage by Noland Keaulana