Hōkūleʻa

Written by JoNelle Sood

September 30, 2023

On Monday, September 25th, Taelson and I were privileged to spend an unforgettable evening with the extraordinary crew of Hōkūleʻa.  We were inspired by the wisdom shared by Uncle Bruce and Uncle Nainoa, and felt privileged to witness the camaraderie among indigenous communities as the Miwok tribe extended their welcome to Hōkūleʻa in San Francisco.  The profound respect between these groups reminded us of the beauty in cultural exchange and unity. 

We were joined by Jeff at Herbst Theatre on Tuesday to hear from an inspirational leader, Nainoa Thompson, President of Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS).

Uncle Nainoa's journey from a commercial fisherman to learning the ancient Polynesian art of navigation under the guidance of Mau Piailug, a master navigator from Micronesia, is truly awe-inspiring.

Heartbreak was felt as he shared the tragic story of Eddie Aikau's sacrifice when the Hōkūleʻa capsized due to monstrous 60 foot waves.

Yet, the spirit of exploration and inspiration was alive as Uncle Nainoa shared his beautiful bond with Astronaut Lacy Veach. Together, they inspired young minds to dream big and explore the universe!

Uncle Nainoa championed gender equality, inviting women into his crew and boasting about their superior aptitude!  A little jealousy? Perhaps! But ultimately, it was all in good fun as he successfully passed on the torch of Hawaiian culture.

The heartfelt connection Uncle Nainoa has formed with his teachers and mentors was palpable in the room. A testament to his dedication and passion for preserving and promoting Polynesian heritage. 

Uncle Nainoa talked about the extinction of Hawaiian culture and practices including the Hawaiian language. He shared the importance of reviving our culture and that if it skips one generation, we are extinct.  This resonates deeply with me and from a big picture standpoint, I see the connection between the mission of PVS and ours. We are here to perpetuate the culture and support education. It’s a beautiful thing to see so many organizations supporting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander education and practices.

It was an honor to be in the pressence of this powerhouse crew.