From a press release Friday (Feb. 22):

The Polynesian canoe Hōkūle‘a will return to the water this Saturday, February 23, at the Marine Education and Training Center at Sand Island, beginning final sea trials for the upcoming Worldwide Voyage.

Hōkūle‘a  was taken out of the water on September 5, 2012 for some cleaning and tightening. One of the first tasks was to clean and prepare the hulls for a final painting. Her solar panels have been repositioned, deck boxes have been refined, rigging has be re-lashed, below deck shelving and bunk boards have been rebuilt, and she’s been repainted. More than 3,000 feet of rope, safety netting and more than 20 gallons of paint have gone into this tune-up. In addition, more than 2,200 volunteer hours, professional services and labor, have been put in at dry dock since September. …

Hōkūle‘a will join with the Society’s new canoe, Hikianalia, in the water for the first time. Together they will undergo sea trials—testing the vessels and training crewmembers—in preparation for the monumental Worldwide Voyage (WWV), which is being planned to depart in June 2013. …

Photo courtesy Kanu Hawaii.

—Chad Blair