Continuing its important mission of education and protecting the Earth, the legendary voyaging canoe Hokule’a is returning to Maui on its Mahalo Hawai’i Sail.

The next stop is a nearly two-week stay at Maalaea Harbor from Feb. 19 to March 2.

During the ten-day engagement, the Hokule’a crew will host public dockside canoe tours, and the Grand Wailea will hold a crew panel discussion and Worldwide Voyage film screening on the evening of the canoe’s arrival.

More than 1,000 students from 14 different Maui schools, ranging from preschool to high school, will have the opportunity to set foot on the Hokule’a during this Maui stop.

During the tour, they will hear stories from crew members, learn about traditional wayfinding using the star compass and try their hand at basic knot tying skills needed at sea.

Members of Maui’s voyaging canoe society and crew of the Mo’okiha o Pi’ilani – many of whom participated in Hokule’a’s WorldWide Voyage – will conduct the tours of Hokule’a for their community on Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 20-23, 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 24-25, and 1 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 26 to March 1. For the latest schedule updates, visit www.hokulea.com.

“The opportunity for the Maui community and so many of Maui’s keiki to connect with the canoe, and become a part of its story, is a great thing and one I know we all are looking forward to,” said Paul Sensano, DLNR Boating Division Maui District manager.

Hokule’a will be located on the south side of the harbor at the far end of the dock. Parking is available in the Maalaea Harbor public paid parking stall and the large Maui Harbor Shops lot.

Take advantage of this opportunity to hear lessons learned from the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage and join in work being done here in the islands to care for the Earth.

During Hokule’a’s port visits, the Polynesian Voyaging Society engages with schools and organizations through outreach events, service projects, crew presentations and canoe tours.

The organization hopes to inspire young people on Maui to learn voyaging.

“I spend all year going to Maui schools and speaking with our students about traditional Hawaiian voyaging, so having Hokule’a here and being able to get so many of them actually on the canoe is a dream come true,” said Kala Tanaka, apprentice navigator, Hokule’a crew member and Mo’okiha o Pi’ilani captain.

“Just as Hokule’a inspired my father – and in turn, myself – I hope that this stop in the sail plan inspires a whole other generation to pick up the torch of wayfinding and voyaging.”