Our legislators take on an incredible number of proposed bills during each session. They deal with many policies that affect Hawaii’s people. They’ll consider possible laws on education, roads, fisheries and agricultural. Perhaps one of the most important issues they’ll
Our legislators take on an incredible number of proposed bills during each session. They deal with many policies that affect Hawaii’s people. They’ll consider possible laws on education, roads, fisheries and agricultural.
Perhaps one of the most important issues they’ll take on is scheduled Monday. It’s not a piece of legislation that affects your taxes, your vehicle registration or your schools. What is does affect is your pride. By that, we mean you’ll be even more proud of your lawmakers.
Hawaii senators at 11:30 a.m. Monday in the Senate Chambers will recognize and honor the crew of the Hokulea in a special floor presentation as they prepare for the second leg of their worldwide voyage, “Malama Honua,” or “Care for the Earth.”
The voyage will be done almost entirely using traditional Polynesian navigation methods, known as wayfinding. This is the first voyage of its kind and involves using ancestral knowledge of star patterns, ocean movement, marine life, weather patterns and other signs of nature. As crew members will say, the Hokulea represents Hawaii’s culture, heritage and connection to ancestors.
“The Hokulea’s international travels will soon begin and it’s important to the Senate that each crew member knows that the state and its lawmakers support their mission and stands unwavering behind their efforts,” said Sen. Gilbert Kahele (District 1 Hilo), who spearheaded the upcoming presentation ceremony. “A floating classroom, the Hokulea will carry our diverse and accepting culture throughout the Pacific building relationships and raising awareness about the importance of ocean protection.”
“As a lawmaker, I look forward to what they will bring back regarding recommendations for charting a new course or more, so how we, as a state, shall adjust our sails toward sustainable practices for food, energy and the environment that they’ve picked up from other places and cultures,” said Kahele. “Their manao would be an added value to helping legislators in future policy decisions.”
Kahele has also introduced two resolutions supporting the efforts of the Hokulea. One resolution urges Gov. Neil Abercrombie to proclaim 2014 as the Year of the Worldwide Voyage while the other urges the state and state entities to support the Hokulea and their crew as they journey around the world.
Last May, the Hokulea began the first of 22 legs planned for the voyage around the world right here in Hawaii. The next leg begins in May and will take them to Tahiti. From there, and over the next four years, they will travel to 26 countries and stop at 85 international ports – sailing more than 47,000 miles. The crew consists of 260 individuals from 16 countries including navigators, students, educators, scientists, documenters, medic, cultural leaders and global ambassadors.
The Hokulea stopped on Kauai last year and pretty much to the person, everyone who stepped on board felt the inspiration of the crew members and their dedication to shared values of and responsibility for caring for the land and its people while honoring Hawaii’s heritage and culture.
“Our experiences and shared knowledge are really the things that define our lives,” Kahele said. “We all can learn from each other, and the voyages of the Hokulea reminds us of this. We’re all in this together so we need to care for each other, work together. During our own journey, while we finish out the second half of the legislative session, we intend to keep the spirit of Hokulea in our hearts.”
