Jun. 15, 2016
Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth
After years of preparation, legendary voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa arrived in New York City and was officially welcomed by thousands of New York residents and a delegation of Hawaiʻi leaders, educators, students and supporters.
During their time in New York, Hōkūleʻa crew members participated in a robust schedule of outreach and engagement, in which they led, participated in, and supported a number of events including the New York Education and Environment Summit and United Nations celebration of World Oceans Day.
The arrival event began with a traditional ceremonial welcome by Native American tribes from the area including the Ramapough Lenape Nation, Moraviantown Delaware Nation, Shinnecock, Unkechaug, Mohegan and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. A traditional Hawaiian ʻaha awa, or awa ceremony, was held by Hui Kīpaepae of New York. Various hula hālau from New York and Hawaiʻi also offered performances celebrating the historic occasion.
"There is something special that this canoe carries on behalf of our home that I think this world not only respects, but needs," said Nainoa Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
"This day of celebration is really the step we need to give us strength to go to the United Nations on behalf of all of the people who are doing their part to be responsible for our island home called Earth."
On June 6, Hōkūleʻa crewmembers continued their momentum of focusing on community outreach through the New York Education and Environment Summit. The crew was joined by educators and community members from Hawaiʻi and New York.
The summit was held on Governors Island, where the delegation was received by the Trust for Governors Island, the National Park Service, New York Harbor School and the Billion Oyster Project.
Thompson delivered a short speech on the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage and its significant connections with the Billion Oyster Project - a STEM-based initiative aimed at restoring one billion live oysters in the New York Harbor. After the morning's presentations and discussions, the New York Harbor School conducted tours of the facilities. Event attendees visited the aquaculture lab at the New York Harbor School where the oysters for the Billion Oyster Project are raised, and visited other indoor and outdoor learning environments at the innovative school. Billion Oyster Project Director Pete Malinowski answered questions from the Hawaiʻi educators and students.
Then, on June 8, Hōkūleʻa achieved the pinnacle of her historic four-year sail around the world at the United Nations (UN) celebration of World Oceans Day: a global event focused on ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future. This year's theme of "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet" encouraged individuals and organizations across the globe to take action in preventing plastic pollution in our ocean, with programming that featured the powerful and lasting presence of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
"Captain Nainoa, I wish you and your entire crew a wonderful return journey," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who sailed on Hōkūleʻa in Apia, Samoa in 2014.
"I count on your leadership and commitment as we carry out our plans to make this world safer and more sustainable for all. On World Oceans Day, let us renew our resolve to protect these marine treasures for generations to come."
In a morning ceremony at Gantry Plaza State Park, Thompson presented UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Gyan Chandra Acharya, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, and Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. with ocean protection declarations and messages of hope that the Hōkūleʻa crew members collected from their worldwide journey promoting sustainable oceans.
Later in the afternoon, Thompson joined President Remengesau and representatives of the Federated States of Micronesia, for a talk-story session on the UN's Ocean Agenda and goals. The leaders also discussed development regarding the negotiation of a new legally binding instrument to protect biodiversity in marine areas in the high seas.
Kamehameha Schools is proud to be the Education Sponsor of the Hōkūleʻa Worldwide Voyage. For more information about the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Worldwide Voyage, visit hokulea.com or find the society on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Google+. To see more Wa‘a Wednesday stories and much more about the Mālama Honua Voyage, go to the KS Online Mālama Honua page.
An incredible image as Hōkūleʻa stops in New York City.
Thousands greet the voyaging canoe in a special ceremony at North Cove Marina.
PVS president Nainoa Thompson (right) with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (center) and Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr.
KS Cultural Consultant Manu Boyd participates in the UN celebration event.
The message of Mālama Honua was share with all in attendance.
Education outreach is a primary component of the worldwide voyage. Here, New York City students learn more about the Hōkūleʻa.