“It’s always a special feeling, you know, it’s always a real special thing to greet Hōkūleʻa; to be able to have her in Kaunakakai, or on our ʻāina is a good thing.” says Hōkūleʻa crewmember, Penny Martin.
Hōkūleʻa crewmember, Mahina Ross says that, “it was great to see the children greeting us with the famous kukui lei of Molokaʻi.”
“They need to know it’s their canoe so it was important to us to have the canoe here so that the people know it’s their canoe too.” says Penny.
As part of making that connection with Hōkūleʻa, Molokaʻi ʻohana waʻa members met the Hōkūleʻa crew in Lānaʻi to help them sail into Kaunakakai harbor.
“There were many friends on the sail. Those from Molokaʻi were Uncle Mel and his family, three Helm family members, along with me and my father. That was a great experience to be a part of.” says Mahina.
Also recognizing Hōkūleʻa as part of Molokaʻi, it was important to that the community members help to sail, and greet Hōkūleʻa at Kaunakakai.
Penny says that, “it was and still is to me, the most beautiful vessel that has ever graced our harbor. She pulls you in, you know. It’s like you feel that connection, you’re connected, so you want to be a part of it. And that never gets old. I think she’ll leave stronger than when she came in because we would have lent her our mana. And I think that’s important that every island lends their mana into the canoe.”
“It’s important that we visit and share as well as learn from others around the world. We are all part of a larger family, and Hōkūleʻa is the vessel that will string us all together as one. I am happy, Hōkūleʻa has returned to Molokaʻi!” says Mahina.