Your Insider Guide to Hōkūle‘a’s 50^th Birthday Celebration

Tour Hawai‘i’s iconic voyaging canoe, learn about wayfinding, party at a star-studded gala and more from March 8–14.

February 28, 2025

Laura Dornbush,

Photo: Courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society

Happy birthday, Hōkūle‘a! You’re invited to a week of festivities to honor the legendary canoe’s half-century anniversary. Step aboard the double-hulled watercraft, meet the crew members, attend a canoe festival, celebrate with a pau hana event and support the canoe’s mission at a fundraiser.

The special events celebrate Hōkūle‘a’s beginnings and her expeditions inspiring cultural renewal across the Pacific and environmental stewardship worldwide. From her launch in 1975, Hōkūle‘a has sailed nearly 300,000 miles and completed 15 deep-sea voyages while sharing messages of resilience, revival, cultural pride and earth-to-ocean connection.

Commander Bowersox, Kimo Austin and Warren Seaman getting Hōkūle‘a ready. March 1975.

Photo: Courtesy of James Kimo Hugho
Buffalo Keaulana checking for coral heads prior to launching. March 1975.

Photo: Courtesy of James Kimo Hugho
Sam Ka‘ai prepaes to mount Kane O Hōkūle‘a. March 1975.

Photo: Courtesy of James Kimo Hugho
Training sail from Kualoa to Lā‘ie, to Kailua and return to Kualoa. March or April 1975.

Photo: Courtesy of James Kimo Hugho

The much-anticipated anniversary festivities are organized by the Polynesian Voyaging Society, a nonprofit dedicated to perpetuating the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration. Other community partners are also part of the celebrations, including Bishop Museum and the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

What’s next for Hōkūle‘a? After the birthday events, the canoe will set sail to continue her 47-month Moananuiākea voyage circumnavigating the Pacific which began in 2023. The canoe will stop in Tahiti first, then spend the rest of 2025 visiting the major Polynesian island groups.

What to Do and See

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks & Recreation

Kualoa/Hakipu‘u Wa‘a Festival

Saturday, March 8, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrate Hōkūle‘a’s historic launch on March 8, 1975, at the very site where the canoe was first assembled, blessed and entered the ocean. From 8 to 11 a.m., witness the ceremonial arrival of Hōkūle‘a leaders and crew, hear stories from Polynesian Voyaging Society navigators and watch hula and music performances, including from Paula Fuga and Kamuela Kimokeo. Starting at 11 a.m., enjoy the canoe festival with cultural activities, storytelling, voyaging education, wa‘a tours, paddling, sailing, food booths and entertainment.

Family-friendly, free, Kualoa Regional Park, 49-479 Kamehameha Hwy., Kāne‘ohe, www8.honolulu.gov, @honolulu_parks

Birthday Gala

Sunday, March 9, 5 to 9 p.m.

Dress up for an evening packed with star power. Watch performances by some of Hawai‘i’s favorite artists, including Amy Hānaiali‘i, Paula Fuga and Jack Johnson. You’ll dine on fine cuisine prepared by renowned local chefs, such as Mark Noguchi, Roy Yamaguchi and Michelle Karr-Ueoka. This fundraiser supports the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s mission of preserving voyaging traditions and protecting the world’s oceans.

$500 and up, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., hokulea.com, @hokuleacrew

Photo: Courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society

Dockside Canoe Tours

Monday, March 10, 3 to 6 p.m.

Step aboard Hōkūle‘a and talk story with crew members and navigators. Learn about the parts of the canoe, find out what daily life is like onboard and hear about the upcoming voyage.

Family-friendly, free, no reservations needed, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., hokulea.com, @hokuleacrew

Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Museum

Bishop Museum After Hours

Friday, March 14, 5 to 9 p.m.

This month’s pau hana festivities will celebrate Hōkūle‘a’s birthday and honor visionaries associated with the museum who helped inform the creation of the canoe in the late 1960s. Explore the new permanent exhibit, Wayfinders: He Wa‘a He Moku, He Moku He Wa‘a, We Are One and the Same, watch the planetarium show Mai Ka Lewa Lani: Stories From Our Sky, hear a keynote presentation by Pwo Navigator and CEO of Polynesian Voyaging Society Nainoa Thompson and enjoy live music by Robert Cazimero.

Family-friendly, $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door, free for keiki under four years old, 1525 Bernice St., bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum

Photo: Courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society

Tips

For the festival on March 8, arrive early to find parking. Bring a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and a mat to sit on.
Remember your first Hōkūle‘a visit or experience? Share your memories for a chance to be part of a 50^th anniversary compilation project. Submit photos, videos and stories by Saturday, March 1.
Be inspired by the Hōkūle‘a’s mission for a healthier planet. Download the #voyage4earth worksheet, make a pledge, upload it to social media or submit it here. As the crew sails to communities around the Pacific, they will share your pledges.
Follow the canoe on her next voyage. View the Google map for her real time location, speed and current wind conditions. You can also trace past voyages.