Polynesian Voyaging Canoe Hokule’a to Visit Yorktown – April 28 through May 8, 2016
York County invites you to join us in welcoming the Hokule’a as she sails into Yorktown on Sunday, April 24, and docks at Riverwalk Landing through May 8. The Hokule’a (“Star of Gladness” in Hawaiian) is a Polynesian voyaging canoe circumnavigating the globe on a voyage whose goals are as impressive as they are important. Hokule’a was built by the Polynesian Voyaging Society in the 1970s, more than 600 years after any other voyaging canoe existed.
Designed and sailed using skills that very nearly went extinct, Hokule’a seeks the wisdom of all indigenous peoples in a search for ideas on dealing with global concerns applied on a global scale. Appealing particularly to students and their communities, Hokule’a brings attention to the message of Mālama Honua – Hawaiian for “to care for the Earth.”
On Sunday, April 24, Hokule’a will sail to Yorktown for a traditional welcoming ceremony with Virginia Indian tribes, followed by an afternoon celebration and tours of the canoe. Hokule’a’s approach to Yorktown will begin around 10:30 a.m. At 12 p.m., native tribes will welcome Hokule’a with water song, canoe dance, and exchange of gifts. The celebration will include tours of Hokule’a and opportunities to meet the crew members. Public tours will be available between 2 and 5 p.m.
Activities during the two-week visit will include public canoe tours, a community outreach and education day on May 1, multiple public programs, events, and educational activities throughout the region.
Hokule’a also will also be available for public tours while docked in Yorktown. Additional tours will be Thursday, April 28, from 1 to 4 p.m.; Sunday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Friday, May 6, from 3 to 6 p.m. Additional tours will be added and once finalized will be published on www.visityorktown.org. Tours are free and will be available on the green area adjacent to the Riverwalk Landing piers. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The schedule is subject to change due to weather and safety conditions.
On Sunday, May 1, the Hokule’a crew will host a community outreach and education day at Riverwalk Landing including dockside education outreach with information stations, canoe tours, and navigation, science and flag stations. For more information, visit the learning center on www.hokulea.com
On Wednesday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. join Yorktown Sailing Charters in the Science under Sails series. VIMS will host three different voyages this May. The School of Marine Science (SMS) at VIMS is the graduate school in marine science for the College of William & Mary. Chartered in 1940, VIMS is currently among the largest marine research and education centers in the United States. Join the Yorktown Schooners as a crewmember of the Hokule’a shares how everyone can be the navigator of our “island Earth.” A VIMS scientist will help broaden the discussion of ocean sustainability. For more information and tickets, (844) 724-5956 or www.sailyorktown.com
Hokule’a will remain at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown until May 8, 2016, when the canoe will continue sailing north, eventually visiting Washington D.C.
Hokule’a’s Schedule in Yorktown:
Sunday, April 24:
- Hokule’a sails into Yorktown (10:30 a.m.) for welcome ceremony and celebration (12 p.m.)
Sunday, April 24:
- Hokule’a canoe tours and publication visitation (2 to 5 p.m.)
Thursday, April 28:
- Hokule’a public canoe tours (1 to 4 p.m.)
Sunday, May 1:
- Community Outreach/Education Day; public tours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 4:
- Science under Sails with Hokule’a crewmember and VIMS (11 a.m.)
Friday, May 6:
- Hokule’a public canoe tours (3 to 6 p.m.)
Parking is available at Riverwalk Landing in the two-level parking terrace. Additional parking is available in Yorktown at York Hall, the County Administration Building and the Courthouse/Finance Building Complex on Ballard Street, all within two blocks of the waterfront. The free trolley will run daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on the Polynesian Voyaging Canoe Hokule’a, visit www.hokulea.com or contact Sonja Swenson Rogers, Communications Director for the Polynesian Voyaging Society, at (808) 745-3386 or by email to Sonja@pvshawaii.org.
For more information on Yorktown activities and events, visit www.visityorktown.org.
*Dates, times, and activities are subject to change.
This event is now over, please visit WilliamsburgFamilies Seasonal Events page for all the latest events.
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