Hōkūleʻa, the traditional voyaging canoe from Hawaii, made her anticipated arrival at Mt. Desert and was officially welcomed by the community on Saturday morning. On this current leg of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, the crew is continuing to honor First Peoples in the East Coast region, teaching and learning about traditions and practices of protecting cultural and environmental resources.
Hōkūleʻa making her way up beautiful Somes Sound.
Canoes deployed by tribes of the Wabanaki Nation sailed alongside the vessel to welcome her before she docked at JW Boat Company (Hall Quarry Road). Hōkūleʻa and her crew were greeted with a welcome ceremony from the Wabanaki and members of the Mt. Desert community. The ceremony gave Hōkūleʻa crew members and the Mt. Desert community a chance to interact with each other through exchanges of cultural traditions, and share their thoughts on the historic significance of the connection made between the groups. After the ceremony, the crew engaged with the public and conducted canoe tours. Today, a crew presentation was scheduled at JW Boat Company and the public was invited to attend.
Truly a beautiful sight to see as members of the Penobscot Nation paddle their traditional birchbark canoes out to greet Hōkūleʻa and crew.
On Tuesday, youth groups from the area are slated to visit Hōkūleʻa. Later that afternoon, there will be another crew presentation in the Gallery at Abbe Museum on Mount Desert Street that will be open to the public.
A gift of sweet grass is shared with our captain.
Mt. Desert is the last stop for this leg (Leg 21) of the Voyage, which has included engagements throughout the New England area over the last five weeks. A new crew will be departing Honolulu for Mt. Desert tomorrow to start the next leg (Leg 22) of the journey, which will take Hōkūleʻa to Canada for the first time in history.
Crewmember Moani Hemuli has the enormous responsibility of driving the escort boat that has been towing Hōkūleʻa up the entire east coast of the United States, ensuring the canoe and the crewʻs saftey.Terry Hee and Moani Hemuli escort Hōkūleʻa into Somes Sound in Mt. Desert, Maine.The crew and canoe make their way in to Mt. Desert.Hōkūleʻa making her way up beautiful Somes Sound.The beauty of Somes Sound welcomes Hōkūleʻa.Crewmember Matt Kanemoto having fun on the steering sweep.Crewmember Matt Kanemoto having fun on the steering sweep.The crew prepares for an arrival ceremony with the Penobscot Nation and the community of Mt. Desert.Kaleo Wong and Jesse Yonover pull up the tow line to allow Hōkūleʻa to sail through Somes Sound.Jesse Yonover takes in the view on the very last sail of our leg.The beauty of Somes Sound welcomes Hōkūleʻa.The crew prepares to open the mizen sail.Full crab claws open, Hōkūleʻa sails through Somes Sound toward the dock.Full crab claws open, Hōkūleʻa sails through Somes Sound toward the dock.Hōkūleʻa surrounded by the beauty of Somes Sound and Mt. Desert.Hōkūleʻa surrounded by the beauty of Somes Sound and Mt. Desert.Hōkūleʻa surrounded by the beauty of Somes Sound and Mt. Desert.Hōkūleʻa making her way up beautiful Somes Sound.Hōkūleʻa making her way up beautiful Somes Sound.Hōkūleʻa making her way up beautiful Somes Sound.Hōkūleʻa making her way up beautiful Somes Sound.Hōkūleʻa making her way up beautiful Somes Sound.The beauty of Somes Sound welcomes Hōkūleʻa.Hōkūleʻa making her way up beautiful Somes Sound.The crew prepares for an arrival ceremony with the Penobscot Nation and the community of Mt. Desert.Members of the Penobscot Nation paddle their traditional birchbark canoes out to greet Hōkūleʻa and crew.Truly a beautiful sight to see as members of the Penobscot Nation paddle their traditional birchbark canoes out to greet Hōkūleʻa and crew.Members of the Penobscot Nation paddle their traditional birchbark canoes out to greet Hōkūleʻa and crew.The Penobscot canoes lead Hōkūleʻa and crew in to the dock for the arrival ceremony.The Penobscot canoes lead Hōkūleʻa and crew in to the dock for the arrival ceremony.Maya Saffery enjoys the view from the bow of the canoe.The Penobscot canoes lead Hōkūleʻa and crew in to the dock for the arrival ceremony.The Penobscot flag waves as the canoes lead Hōkūleʻa in to shore.The Penobscot canoes lead Hōkūleʻa and crew in to the dock for the arrival ceremony.Members of the Penobscot Nation and the Mt. Desert community await Hōkūleʻaʻs arrival.The crew is greeted by members and spiritual leaders of the Penobscot Nation.Matt Kanemoto sounds the pū to announce our arrival and to begin the arrival ceremony.Members of the Penobscot Nation greet Hōkūleʻa and crew.A gift of sweet grass is shared with our captain.Aunty and Uncle from Hana, Maui gifts the crew a nice big bowl of poi from Keanae!Details of the Penobscot birch bark canoes.The crew takes time to learn about the traditional canoes of the Penobscot.Details of the Penobscot birch bark canoes.Details of the Penobscot birch bark canoes.Details of the Penobscot birch bark canoes.Details of the Penobscot birch bark canoes.Details of the Penobscot birch bark canoes.Details of the Penobscot birch bark canoes.
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.
