There is something different on the white sand beach of Sanur, Bali. Seen a large Hawaiian-flagged canoe named Hōkūle a. This 40 year old traditional Hawaiian canoe has sailed 150,000 miles in the Pacific Ocean. Manned by 13 people relying on wind, sun and traditional navigation.
For three years of sailing from May 2014 to June 2017, Hōkūle a campaigned for the local wisdom of Hawaii’s tough seafarers in the past as well as environmental conservation and climate change.
This boat carries the message mālama honua , which means to care for the earth in Hawaiian. By sailing using ancestral methods, they began to encourage the global community to sail new routes, campaigning for a healthy and sustainable planet for future generations.
Hōkūle a will continue the journey of 47,000 nautical miles visiting 26 countries. From Hawaii they had traveled to France, then the Cook Islands then Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, and now Bali. Next, we will continue our journey to Madagascar, Africa.
The current government may dream of becoming the world’s maritime axis, but the crew of Hōkūle a have proven it. They revitalize the technology of the past and the oceans can be explored.
When docked in Sanur, the crew and supporters of this cruise performed a Hawaiian song and dance entitled Ave Vahitie and Oli Kahea about requesting permission to dock and expressing gratitude for having arrived safely. You can get information about navigation system here amnautical.info
There is also a song and dance entitled Ka Uluwehi a Kei Kai which tells about the good relationship between humans and humans and humans and nature. Similar to Balinese Hindu philosophy, Tri Hita Karana, three harmonious relationships with humans, nature, and God.
This voyage was led by Nainoa Thompson. He gave gifts of sea salt from Hawaii as a form of their marine wealth. Beautifully packaged and wrapped in a Polynesian shipping community (PVS) medal.
He introduced two female crew members who played an important role as navigators with the traditional technique of guiding their way, namely, Lehua Kamalu and Jenna Ishii.
Nainoa, who is also the President of PVS and an expert on traditional Polynesian navigation, said this kind of campaign is important in the midst of climate change in the world. “We want to share knowledge and culture between coastal countries to protect nature in our own way,” he said. According to him, Bali is very unique because it still maintains its local wisdom.
