Re-Launching Hōkūle‘a: March 8, Thursday, at Sunrise
Honolulu Community College’s Marine Education Training Center (METC)
After 18 months in dry dock, and the contribution of 15,500 volunteer hours, the wa‘a kaulua, Hōkūle‘a has been completely rebuilt and will be re-launched on Thursday, March 8 at daybreak. The date is the 37th anniversary of Hōkūle‘a’s original launching, on March 8, 1975. Ceremonies are scheduled to start at 5:30 am; launching at around 6:30 am. Sunrise at 6:45 am.
Makanani Attwood and Bruce Blankenfeld plan lashing the back mast step.
“For more than 30 years we’ve had the privilege and honor to explore and discover aboard Hōkūle‘a,” said Bruce Blankenfeld, one of Hōkūle‘a’s master navigators and the person who led the reconstruction effort. “The wa’a has served us well, sailing more than 125,000 miles over the last three decades…. As we train a new generation of leadership and deep sea sailors, it is our obligation to leave them with a canoe that is healthy, sound and capable of another 4 decades of voyaging and exploration.”
Back end, where the steering blade will be affixed
Back end, below deck
Front end, with mast step and deck cleat.
Finishing touches.
