Hōkūleʻa is back on the ocean to set sail for Havana, Cuba. The vessel departed Saba Rock today at 9:00 a.m. local time (3:00 a.m. HST), after having spent seven days in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The crew most recently engaged with Ocean Elder and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, and discussed ocean conservation efforts.
Pwo navigator Kālepa Baybayan is gearing up the crew to prepare for strong winds and brisk weather, the greatest challenges of this leg of the voyage. The trip is approximately 1,080 nautical miles from BVI to Havana, which could take the canoe about a week to reach Cuba.
“We are happy to be part of the pioneers as we begin to form this new partnership and relationship with Cuba,” said Baybayan. “We are very excited to have that opportunity to participate; part of that journey is learning about the indigenous people and culture of Cuba, both modern and old.”
From Cuba, Hokulea plans on routing her trip back to the US mainland, with an estimated arrival in Florida at the end of March. She is scheduled to arrive in New York City by June 8, 2016 to be part of the United Nations’ World Oceans Day.
Captain Kalepa plans Hōkūleʻa’s departure.Watch Captains Kawika Crivello and Kamaki Worthington eye the passage ahead.Noelani, Shawn, Kawika and David consider how departure will unfold.Kawika Crivello is excited to leave Saba Rock.Captian Baybayan and Kawika look ahead.David, leg 18 crew doctor, sounds the pu as we pass Moskito IslandHōkūleʻa makes her way through the narrow passage at Moskito Island.Puaito reaches for some line.Maui captures a few shots as the crew gets in their first hour of sailing.Kalepa looks ahead.Kalepa calls for sail adjustments as Hōkūleʻa sails into the Caribbean.Eric Co stands at the ready.Both watches enjoy their first hours after leaving the Virgin Gorda area. Ahead is a week of sailing toward Cuba.Puaita holds some tricing lines on the main.Framed between the main and stay, Puaita looks ahead.Austin Kino fastens some line to the port rail.The captain and Eric call for sail adjustments.Kawika is using an island in the distance to guide Hōkū forward.The water here is almost overwhelmingly blue.Things begin to settle around miday crew change.Crew members of Hōkūleʻa and Gershon II embraced before departing Saba Rock. “See you in Cuba.”Sailing straight from the dock and in to one of the most popular saiing areas in the world.Kawika pointing out vessels to steer around.Mahalo nui to Jonathan McManus and the staff at Saba Rock. Aloha truly does live here.Eric taking off a fender from the railCaptain Kālepa guiding Hōkūleʻa through the North Sound, BVISome be cruising, others be putting up sailsSome be cruising, others be putting up sailsSmall kine traffic in the North Sound, BVICaptain Kālepa BaybayanLeaving the BVILeaving the BVIAustin preparing a staysailTodd and Austin getting a staysail readyAustin tying a bowlineFenders up, sails usAustin and Doctor Dave tightening down a halyardCaptain Kālepa BaybayanKawika Crivello, so much aloha this guyTahitian tell taleAustin, Puaita and Kamaki help to lash down items before setting sail from Saba Rock.Crewmembers were gifted heliconia to brighten up departure.A net of fruit is temporarily shifted while to make way for lashing.Puaita and Kawika prepare townlines for storage as the captain prepares to sail off the dock in Saba Rock.Kawika hauls the towline out of the way.
Happy Birthday, Hōkūleʻa!
Help us celebrate Hōkūleʻa’s 41st birthday by becoming a member, or gifting membership to another!
On March 8, the iconic deep-sea voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa celebrates her 41st birthday! Our master navigators use the stars, waves, wind, and birds to find their way, following in the wake of their ancestors. Hōkūleʻa has journeyed more than 150,000 miles over the past 41 years, and a new generation of navigators is sailing around the world to explore how people and communities are working to Mālama Honua – care for our Island Earth. We need your support to keep us voyaging – please visit www.hokulea.com/donate/ to help.
