An array of activities, events to celebrate the historic Hōkūleʻa's 50th anniversary
HONOLULU (KHON2) – To reflect and honor Hōkūleʻa's historic launch, which was on March 8, 1975, a commemorative ceremony and an array of activities will take place this week.
Hōkūleʻa turns 50!
According to Jonah Apo – Hōkūleʻa' crewmember and Polynesian Voyaging Society Development Coordinator – on Saturday, March 8, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hōkūleʻa's 50th Birthday Commemoration and the 16th Annual Kualoa/Hakipuʻu Canoe Festival at Kualoa Regional Park will take place. It's free to attend and open to the public.
From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., a commemorative ceremony will reflect on and honor Hōkūleʻa's historic launch on March 8, 1975 at the very site where the canoe was first assembled, blessed, and entered the ocean.The celebration will continue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the Kualoa/Hakipuʻu Canoe Festival, hosted in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation, features food, music, ocean activities and educational opportunities for the entire family including paddling and sailing, and navigation lessons.
Then on Monday, March 10, Monday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. the celebration continues with dockside canoe tours of Hōkūleʻa at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The public is invited to step aboard Hōkūleʻa and hear from young crew members and navigators who are training to take leadership roles in the next chapters of the Moananuiākea Voyage, according to Apo.
Hokulea visiting Ko Olina
Finally on Friday, March 14, the Bishop Museum will host an after-hours event honoring Hōkūleʻa's 50th birthday. The museum, a pivotal partner in Hōkūleʻa's inception, will pay tribute to the canoe's origins and legacy with special exhibits and programming dedicated to the history of traditional Polynesian voyaging.
'To imagine the first 50 years and what she was able to accomplish, and the places she's gone, and all the people who played a part in her story for these first 50 years, such a massive milestone for us and we're all very excited. Just being able to honor her in a significant way is something we're really looking forward to this week,' said Apo.
Please purchase tickets and find program details by clicking here.
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For more information about these events and more, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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