Event scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025 rain or shine
O‘AHU – The City and County of Honolulu, Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), and dozens of Hawaiian cultural and navigational organizations invite you to celebrate Hōkūleʻa’s 50th birthday as part of the Kualoa/Hakipu‘u Wa‘a (Canoe) Festival on Saturday, March 8, 2025. The event will begin with the Hōkūleʻa 50th Anniversary Commemoration from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by the Kualoa/Hakipu‘u Wa‘a Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m..
The entire day will be focused on reflecting, honoring, and celebrating Hōkūleʻa’s historic launch on March 8, 1975 at the very site where the canoe was first assembled, blessed, and entered the ocean. It will feature a variety Hawaiian cultural protocol, ocean activities, and educational opportunities for the entire family, such as: hula & oli, paddling & sailing, navigation lessons, and so much more. Food booths are also available on-site for this family friendly event.
Hōkūleʻa 50th Anniversary Commemoration – 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
On Saturday morning, March 8th, in celebration of her 50th year, the Hōkūleʻa will be anchored offshore at her birthplace, Kualoa, along with her companion waʻa, Hikianalia. Led by the hosting community, Hakipuʻu ʻOhana, the extended family of voyaging communities, ʻOhana Waʻa, and the many schools, organizations, and families who hold these special waʻa so dear—the general public is invited to gather along the shore and engage in welcoming protocols as revered leaders and PVS representatives are transported to land at 8 a.m. We invite the blowing of pū and the offering of oli and mele at this time of cheerful celebration.
After arrival protocols, the Hōkūleʻa 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program will begin at 9 a.m. with opening protocols and expressions of reverence for PVS founders Herb Kawainui Kāne, Tommy Holmes, and Dr. Ben Finney; and iconic leaders, Myron Pinky Thompson, and Papa Mau Piailug. Mayor Rick Blangiardi will offer commemorative remarks, and Dr. Kalena Silva will relate special moments from the initial launch ceremony in 1975. Senior navigator and PVS leader Bruce Blankenfeld will lead a time of reflection for departed members of the PVS ʻohana, and ʻawa noa will be served to a select group of distinguished leaders. The morning will culminate with words of inspiration by revered navigator and PVS CEO, Nainoa Thompson. Kahu Kenneth Makuakāne, featured chanter Kumu Hula Kamuela Chun, award-winning musicians Paula Fuga and Kamuela Kimokeo, Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble, Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad, ‘Aha Moananuiākea Pacific Consortium, and MC Kumu Hula Manu Boyd offer their heartfelt contributions to this historic occasion.
Kualoa/Hakipu‘u Wa‘a Festival – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 50th Birthday celebration continues with free family friendly cultural activities, storytelling, voyaging education, waʻa tours, paddling, sailing, food booths and entertainment throughout the day!
As a result of the festival, camping at both of Kualoa Regional Park’s campgrounds will be suspended that from March 7 through March 12, 2025.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of attendees are expected for this historic commemoration. If you plan on attending, please give yourself extra time to accommodate the crowds. Driving and parking with aloha is greatly appreciated. Parking attendees and special duty Honolulu Police Department officers will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
Mahalo to the many participating organizations taking part in this festival! Confirmed attendees include:
| Polynesian Voyaging Society | Nā Kama Kai |
| Hakipuʻu ʻOhana | Kiakahi |
| Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy | I Nui Ke Aho – Wanana Paoa |
| Kūlaniākea | Kamaola (Punahou School) |
| Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu | Hui of Wa‘a Kaulua |
| Lonoa Honua | Na Kalai Waʻa Moku o Hawaiʻi |
| Hui o Waʻa Kaulua | Polynesian Cultural Center |
| E Ala Voyaging Academy | Kāne‘ohe Canoe Club |
| Friends of Hōkūle’a and Hawaiʻiloa | Lahui O Ko‘olauloa, Kahana Canoe Club |
| Kualoa Regional Park | 500 Sails |
| ʻOhana Waʻa | Hoʻoulu ʻĀina/Kōkua Kalihi Valley |
| KEY Project | Kapena Steve |
| HSCRA, O‘ahu Sailing Canoe Association | Mālama Honua Public Charter School |
| U.S. Navy Sailors |
Hōkūleʻa & Kualoa’s Connection
Kualoa’s historical and cultural significance to kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiians) cannot be understated. Recognized as a pu‘uhonua (place of refuge), Kualoa was home to makahiki celebrations, royal education, and wayfinding traditions for generations of Hawaiians.
As a result, the story of Hōkūleʻa (Star of Gladness) and Kualoa are braided tightly together like ʻaha, cordage used to firmly lash the voyaging canoe. Kualoa is where Hōkūleʻa was assembled, blessed, and first entered the ocean on March 8, 1975. Since then, she has sailed nearly 300,000 miles and completed 15 deep-sea voyages, bridging generations and communities through shared values of Mālama Honua (care for the Earth).
This celebration and canoe festival is more than a birthday—it is a call to action. Over the past 50 years, Hōkūleʻa has inspired the world to reconnect with nature and embrace the responsibility (kuleana) to protect our planet. A kuleana more important now than ever with environmental challenges impacting our parks, our oceans, and our Island Earth.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.
—PAU—
City & County, Nate Serota: (808) 768-3046 PVS, Sonja Swenson Rogers: (808) 745-3386
