El Nino weather to keep sailing canoes in Hawaiian waters

The day breaks over Hōkūleʻa with Kualoa behind her. Severe El Nino ocean conditions will keep the sailing canoes in Hawaiian waters until March 2025. PC: courtesy Polynesian Voyaging Society

Adverse El Nino weather conditions have led to the Polynesian Voyaging Society to postpone its planned Moananuiākea Voyage, the circumnavigation of the Pacific until March 2025. Instead, Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia will remain in Hawaiian waters for training, statewide engagements and educational outreach.

This year the voyaging society is ramping up crew and captain training, including two deep-sea voyages to the Intertropical Convergence Zone, known also as the doldrums, and back in late spring or early summer.

“We’re adding on the convergence zone as a strategic training ground for future captains and navigators. Hawaiʻi is really this web of all of these special training grounds for different reasons, primarily because of our islands and what they do to the winds and the ocean,” said society Chief Executive Officer and Pwo Navigator Nainoa Thompson. “We’re very, very blessed that we have learned to use these islands as a school.”

The society and its crew members will also participate in the Festival of the Pacific Arts from June 6-16 on Oʻahu, meeting with other voyaging societies and leaders from around the Pacific…

Severe El Nino weather to keep sailing canoes in Hawaiian waters : Maui Now