50 Years of Hōkūle‘a
“The Polynesian Voyaging Society and what the Hōkūle‘a is doing internationally, globally–it makes you feel good inside that you were a small part of it.”
- Darryll Wong
led him back to the ocean at 65, when re- nowned Pwo Navigator Nainoa Thompson invited him to join a leg of Hōkūle‘a’s Māla- ma Honua Worldwide Voyage. "My interest initially was on how to take care of this island so that everyone can pros- per," Wong says, recalling his studies. “I was very lucky that Nainoa asked me, because I was probably older than I should have been.” After arriving in Sydney in 2015, Hōkūle‘a continued along the coast, visiting signifi-
is doing internationally, globally–it makes you feel good inside that you were a small part of it.” One of Wong’s most cherished experiences aboard Hōkūle‘a was the time spent with Thomp- son. Even while sailing along the coast of Austra- lia, Wong found himself learning from Thompson’s deep knowledge of navigation. “What are you look- ing at? What are the currents doing?” he would ask, always eager to gain insight. For Wong, Thompson’s wisdom went far beyond the ocean, offering valuable lessons about life itself.
cant environmental and cultural sites. Wong joined Leg 12 of the voy- age, sailing from Bris- bane to Darwin, Austra- lia, eager to learn about the sustainability prac- tices of other communi- ties. In Townsville, the crew docked outside Reef HQ, the education center for the Great Barrier Reef, where they had the chance to learn about the ongoing conservation efforts. "I felt very lucky to be able to dive with other crew members and experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef," Wong reflects. “The Poly- nesian Voyaging Society and what the Hōkūle‘a
Left: As the sun rises, Hōkūle‘a prepares to set sail once more—charting the course for the next leg of the Moananuiākea Voyage. Above: Darryll Wong joins Nainoa Thompson aboard Hōkūle‘a during the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, continuing a legacy of exploration and environmental stewardship. PHOTO COURTESY OF DARRYLL WONG
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