Hokule's offshore Waikiki, Oahu, January 1987. Photo: Monte Costa

Polynesian Voyaging Society

"Closing the Triangle: a Quest for Rapa Nui" is an expedition sponsored by the Polynesian Voyaging Society. The six-months-long canoe journey completes a 25-year odyssey that began with the launching of Hokule'a. In January 2000 when the canoe reached Rapa Nui, a small, isolated island in the New Zealand cluster, the Society completed sails over all the major migration routes of Polynesia. Without navigational instruments and using only ancient Polynesian way-finding arts, the crew faced its most difficult challenge yet due to the remote location of Rapa Nui, which lies over a thousand miles from the nearest inhabited islands. The project includes two videotapes, color photographs and slides; a report on the history and significance of the Society, some of the educational materials produced by the society for distribution through the schools, a compact disc sound recording of the group Pai'ea, and promotional materials. The binder holding the print materials is covered in hand-made batik fabric, in itself an Hawaiian legacy.

Originally submitted by: Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Senator Neil Abercrombie, Representative (1st District) & Patsy T. Mink,Representative (2nd District).

More Local Legacies... Additional Hawaii Local Legacies Local Legacies for all U.S. States

The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.

Learn More About It... Related Web Site