The iconic Hawaiian wa‘a kaulua Hokule’a is here in Virginia. And after meeting the crew of the traditional Polynesian double-hulled sailing canoe, we came away with a new way of thinking. Earth is our island.

The Hokule’a (Star of Gladness) is on a 5-year, 60,000 nautical-mile voyage around the planet to promote the message of “Mālama Honua.” In Hawaiian this means taking care of and protecting everything that makes up our world: land, oceans, living beings, our cultures, and our communities. 

They’re connecting learners from all ages and cultures. Sailing across Earth’s oceans, they join and help grow the global movement toward a more sustainable world. The idea is to create a network of people that can help navigate a way toward a more balanced future for our Island Earth. 

See the Hokule’a website for stories of their travels.