Voyaging this May, the Iosepa tells a story of generational power, respect, and reverence. This magnificent 57-foot double-hulled canoe is ready to set sail. Months of preparation brought us to this day. The melody of the mele (song / chant sung at the beginning of each gathering) enfolds each heart that listens, speaking words of the ancestors and making them the prayer of the living.

HIKI MAI E NĀ PUA I KA LAʻI Ē KE*

HIKI MAI E NĀ PUA I KA LAʻI Ē	Come forth oh children in the calm
PIʻI AʻE LA I KA MAUNA KIʻEKIʻE	And climb the high mountain
HAʻA MAI NĀ KAMA ME KA MAKUA	Dance forward with your Father
HE WEHI PŪLAMA AʻO KE KUPUNA	A cherished adornment of the ancestors
E KAʻI MAI ANA E KAʻI MAI ANA	Come forward, proceed forward
E HAHAI I KA LEO O KA HAKU Ē	Follow the voice / word of the Lord

*Mele written by Cy M. Bridges, September 1997

 

The Journey Begins

This is not the first time Iosepa has sailed on open waters. Read more about Iosepa’s previous voyages. If you are not able to meet him during this journey it is not your last chance. When Iosepa is not voyaging he rests at the Polynesian Cultural Center, always ready for visitors and with a guide nearby to answer any questions.

May 22, 2025 marks the beginning of Iosepa’s month-long voyage. Months of preparation have brought him again to the water, to voyage between some of the islands of Hawaii.

The plan is simple, but intense:

• Traverse the waters between Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, and Maui safely, over a one-month period.
• Have seasoned crew members teach newer ones what it is like to actually sail (they have been in training up till now).
• Build relationships with the kamaʽāina (local people) at every port, holding meetings and celebrations with them.
• Celebrate the heritage of the Polynesian people and honor their wayfinding spirit.

 

Preparation

Preparation has included concentration on every aspect of completing the sail successfully, including supplies and food that must be on board, and how and where it will be stored. Everyone must know the details, because the crew members will be rotating in and out on the five legs of the journey, and they have to know where to find things. Provisions are also made for logistics, documentation, communication, preserving the integrity of the vessel, crew wellness, and honoring legacy.

These experiences can have lifechanging impact on crew members. On a sail, everyone must work together if they are going to be successful. Every person must do her/his part, or everyone suffers for it. As they face challenges, they grow closer. As they contemplate what the ancestors endured that the Polynesian nations might now exist, they build connection to that heritage and a determination to see that the wisdom of the ages is not lost. Many will continue to be involved in voyaging long after this summer.

Mark Ellis, captain for the voyage, employs a basic tenant of wayfinding to explain the principles that lie at of the heart of the sail and other aspects of life: “Know where you’ve come from, and know where you’re going.”

The voyage will also foster research. One project seeks to understand how the ancestors carried plants, from distant islands to new places where they hoped to live. Using vegetation they know was transported in the early days, the crew will keep the plants onboard the canoe throughout the month and assess their strength and viability as time goes on. Another project will measure plankton levels in the waters in various places, helping researchers understand the health of the sea.

 

Community Outreach

As the vessel comes into each port, the crew will be ready to meet their hosts. Some communities will offer formal welcomes at beaches. Wherever possible, the crew will offer tours of the canoe and answer questions. In some kaiāulu (communities), they will participate in longer “ʻohana (family) nights,” going more in depth about their voyaging experiences. And wherever possible, they will offer service.

Mele and pule (songs and prayers) uttered each day will ask that God favor this trip, temper the weather, and guide the sailors safely home.

Because the actual route of the voyage, dates of arrival and departure, and the ports visited may be affected by weather, please follow Iosepa’s progress @iosepavoyagers. The crew would love to meet you at one of their stops!