Hokule'a

Fwd: PVS - News Conference - 5/29/2013 at 11:00 AM - LAUNCH OF HŌKŪLE'A & HIKIANALIA

Media Advisory
Date:                     May  27, 2013
Contact:               Kim Ku'ulei Birnie
(808)842-1101 or (808)383-1651


LAUNCH OF HŌKŪLE'A & HIKIANALIA

Worldwide Voyage News Conference
May 29, 2013, Wednesday, 11:00 AM *
Marine Education & Training Center, 10 Sand Island Parkway


(Mokauea, O'ahu, Hawai'i).  The Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūle'a and sister vessel Hikianalia will travel together for the first time on the next leg of the Polynesian Voyaging Society's (PVS's) Worldwide Voyage.  Members of the media are invited to the dock on May 29* to meet crewmembers and voyage leadership, apprentices, educators, scientists, cultural leaders and others involved with the Worldwide Voyage.  Attending members of the media may tour the wa'a.  Following the conference, and weather permitting, both vessels will depart.
Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) will provide an overview of the Worldwide Voyage (WWV), sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines, to all attending members of the media.  Topics will include:
•         Sail Plan - 4 years, more than 20 countries, more than 60 ports of call
•         Nā Wa'a, Hōkūle'a and Hikianalia - preparation and readiness
•         Crew - criteria, training, crew selection process
•         Education - WWV curricula and some of the educators who will be using it
•         Science - a sample of studies being implemented throughout the voyage
•         Communications - Storytelling and the technology being used to share the stories
Governor Neil Abercrombie is expected to send off the canoes Wednesday morning. Additional remarks will be made by our education partners Dr. MRC Greenwood, president of the University of Hawai'i, and Kathryn Matayoshi, superintendent of Education.  Pwo navigators Nainoa Thompson and Bruce Blankenfeld will be available for interviews, as will several captains, navigators-in-training, seasoned and apprentice crew members.
The event schedule for the Polynesian Voyaging Society over the next few weeks:

May 29 *                             Launch of Hōkūle'a and Hikianalia*, METC (all conditions permitting)

June 6-7                               Koa tree plantings, Hawai'i Island (limited space)

June 7                                   Presentations by Nainoa Thompson and author Sam Low, 'Imiloa, Hilo

June 8                                   Ho'okipa Reception, 'Imiloa Astronomy Center, Hilo (by invitation)

June 9                                   Hilo Ho'olaule'a - Community Launch celebration, Palekai, Keaukaha, Hilo

June 10-14                          Community outreach, Hilo

June 14 *                             Depart Hilo - begin the Mālama Hawai'i leg of Worldwide Voyage*

* Committed are we to the safety of our crews and vessels, please note that all sail dates are weather/safety dependent.  Should either launch be delayed, an update will be issued by 6 each evening prior until the date is confirmed.
The sail plan with additional ports and dates (also subject to weather conditions and permitting for ports) will be distributed at this news conference.
Please join us for a broad overview, and all the latest updates to the monumental Worldwide Voyage.
RSVP to (808) 842-1101.  Help us be sure to have a Media Kit prepared for you.
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Kim Ku'ulei Birnie
808-383-1651
kkb@aloha.net</mc/compose?to=kkb@aloha.net>