Voyage to Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Postponed to 2004 - Educational Programs to Continue this Fall with Modifications

August 29, 2003 - Honolulu, Hawaii - - The long anticipated voyage to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) by Hokule'a that was expected to start this Saturday was postponed last night after a brief meeting among the expedition partners. On Wednesday, August 27, the main mast on the expedition's escort boat, Excaliper, broke during sea trials off Ko Olina. Repairs to the Excaliper and the subsequent sea trials and training would delay the expedition into a period of unpredictable fall weather.

Rather than increase the risk of exposure to north swells and winter fronts in this seven-week journey, Nainoa Thompson, master Navigator and Chairman of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, met with the expedition's partners yesterday and reached unanimous consensus to delay the NWHI voyage until May 1, 2004. "Obviously, we are very disappointed with this incident - a lot of people have put in many hours in preparation for our launch on Saturday. But we have to always respect the ocean and make plans according to her timetable, not ours. The safety of the crew aboard the Höküle'a and the escort boat is of paramount importance and we cannot compromise that," said Mr. Thompson.

The Navigating Change educational programs related to the voyage will continue with slight modifications to the timetable. "Our educational modules are complete and ready, and we can proceed with the classroom activities as planned.”

KidScience with Patty Miller is still airing its three show series on Navigating Change: Expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The show will highlight the educational messages and spirit of Navigating Change. Shows will air on Sept 18th, 25th, Oct. 2nd at 8am-9am on KHET.

“ During this Fall, we may make plans to sail Höküle'a to designated ecological destinations within the main Hawaiian Islands and share with the students the conditions of the reef and oceans. In the Spring, when we are in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, they can compare the condition of the reefs there with the ones they've learned in the Fall. We will be very busy, the next week or two, re-aligning the educational curriculum to fit this latest change," added Mr. Thompson.

Visit www.pvs-hawaii.org for the latest developments.

Navigating Change is a project focused on raising awareness and ultimately motivating people to change their attitudes and behaviors to better care for our islands and our ocean resources. The project is an educational partnership that includes private organizations, state agencies and federal agencies that include: Polynesian Voyaging Society, Bishop Museum, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i State Department of Education, Hawai‘i Maritime Center and the University of Hawai‘i.

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Kelehua Kawai
Project Manager
Olomana Marketing
220 S. King Street, Suite 1640
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone (808) 550-0043
fax (808) 550-0142
Kelehua@pogas.com

 

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