The Hokulea is visiting Cuba right now, and Altruvistas has arranged a special itinerary for its crew members.

Have you heard of the Hokulea? The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) announced that legendary traditional sailing canoe Hokulea would be making an historic visit to Cuba during its Caribbean leg of the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage.

That’s where Altruvistas co-founder Malia Everette is right now–in Cuba, leading the Aloha Cuba! Peace and Sustainability Tour which is taking place March 15-24.

(Ooh, maybe they’ll meet up with President Obama!)

Hokulea crewmembers are there to participate in cultural exchange and learn about Cuba’s sustainability efforts. The Hokulea is expected to spend approximately four days in Cuba before sailing to Florida and then up the East Coast, reaching New York City by June 8, 2016, for World Oceans Day.

PVS worked with the Cubanakoa Foundation and Altruvistas on an itinerary for the Hokulea crew, which includes:

  • A meeting with the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples about US-Cuba relations;
  • Briefings on Cuba’s marine conservation, urban sustainability and environmental efforts;
  • Discussions about cultural connections between Cuba, Hawai’i and other island nations.

The Cubanakoa Foundation provides opportunities to believe and engage in journey, to a time and place of divine ancestral understanding in order to bring forward ideas of universal heritage living, loving, and worshiping.

Here’s what Nainoa Thompson, President of PVS, had to say about the Hokulea visit:

“Visiting Cuba supports the mission of the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage. Because of the country’s political situation over the last few decades, Cuba has developed sustainability practices that are now considered a model for the rest of the world. We look forward to learning more about Cuba’s cultural and environmental preservation efforts, and we hope to share the commonalities between Hawaii and this island nation.”

Since departing Hawaiian waters in May 2014, Hokulea has sailed more than 21,000 nautical miles and made stops in 12 countries and 55 ports, weaving a “Lei of Hope” around the world. Along the way, more than 180 volunteer crewmembers have helped to sail Hokulea accompanied by escort vessel Gershon II to spread their message of taking care of Island Earth by promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness, as well as exchanging ideas with the countries she has visited.

So far, crewmembers have connected with over 45,000 people in communities across the South Pacific, Tasman Sea and Indian Ocean including Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Australia, Indonesia, Mauritius, South Africa and Brazil.

TAKE ACTION!

  • Create YOUR own travel itinerary: If you’d like Altruvistas’ help creating an itinerary for your travel group, visit Altruvistas’ Customized Tours page.

Feature Photo Credit: Facebook/Hokulea Crew