Voyaging with Hōkūleʻa

In 2013 the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) began an educational partnership with the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) that connected school communities to the values and mission of Mālama Honua. The educational journey was rooted in an official agreement — the Promise to Children — to formalize the connection of community-based education aligned with the worldwide voyage.

Now a decade later as PVS initiates its Moananuiākea Voyage around the Pacific, HIDOE is collaborating with community waʻa (canoe) organizations to engage, educate and inspire a movement of care for our oceans, cultures and people. The community partnerships with waʻa organizations across the state is called Ho‘ākea: Mauka to Makai, Navigating our Future. Educational lessons will focus on the "navigator mindset,” preparing students to be leaders, stewards and critical thinkers who can navigate Hawaiʻi toward a better future.

In March 2023, Ho‘ākea events were held in East and West O‘ahu. The initiative kicked off with Windward O‘ahu schools — Ka‘a‘awa, Waiahole and ‘Aikahi Elementary — participating in excursions and hands-on learning at Kualoa Regional Park. A similar multi-day event at Pōkaʻi Bay Beach Park provided Nānākuli and Wai‘anae students with hands-on learning to perpetuate the foundational values and perspectives of navigation, and exposed them to maritime career pathways and community partnerships.

Courtesy Polynesian Voyaging Society

In June 2023, HIDOE was fortunate to be a part of the Hawai‘i delegation on hand in Juneau, Alaska for the Moananuiākea Voyage launch events. Under the Moananuiākea voyage, the Hōkūleʻa, Hikianalia and about 400 crew members will sail an estimated 43,000 nautical miles around the Pacific. They will visit 36 countries and archipelagoes, nearly 100 indigenous territories, and more than 300 ports.

The voyage is also a global educational campaign aimed at amplifying the importance of indigenous and ocean knowledge through storytelling and education that will be shared through a virtual “third canoe." The Department and Superintendent Hayashi are honored to be a major partner in the educational component of this initiative.

"We are in essence, the “educational waʻa” on this journey. We are excited for the learning opportunities this will bring to our teachers, students, and school communities." – Superintendent Keith Hayashi, March 2023

Educational Links:

● https://www.hokulea.com/moananuiakea-voyage/

● https://waahonua.com/

● https://waahonua.com/content-library/

● https://blogs.ksbe.edu/holomoana/

● https://www.kanehunamoku.org/curriculum.html

● https://sites.google.com/k12.hi.us/ohehub/ʻāīna-kilohana-hawaiian-education-resources

● https://www.hokulea.com/resources/curriculum/

● https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/avoyagetohealth/education/lesson-plans2.html

Page updated

Report abuse