Canoe from Hawaii arrives in Okinawa after 10,000-kilometre trip

HONOLULU (AP) - After travelling about 10,000 kilometres across the Pacific, a voyaging canoe from Hawaii arrived Monday in Okinawa, Japan. The Hokulea made landfall after an 11-day trip from Micronesia, where the crew had stopped to honour renowned navigator Mau Piailug of Satawal.

After a crew change, the voyage will continue on a goodwill mission in the islands of Japan, Polynesian Voyaging Society spokeswoman Kathy Muneno said.

Despite the early hour, about 150 people greeted the Hokulea and an escort boat at the harbour on the southwestern side of Okinawa.

Novice navigator Kaiulani Murphy said it was difficult navigating through the changing conditions.

"We were fortunate to have been clear from any threat of hurricanes but we did experience a wide range of weather - from zero wind, flat water and extreme heat to near gale-force winds, rough seas and intense cold," Murphy said.

The international trip is being made to honour Piailug, who taught Pacific way-finding to native Hawaiians. The Maisu was presented to Piailug as a gift.

In the 1970s, Piailug taught modern Hawaiians the ancient Polynesian art of non-instrument navigation, which had been lost for centuries in the islands.

A group of about 100 people from Hawaii who live in Okinawa will host a dinner reception for the crew members, Muneno said.

Other activities planned include school visits, canoe tours, a workshop and a visit to the Marine Museum in Motobu, Okinawa.

Hokulea will make a crew change before departing Okinawa this weekend. The Hokulea will sail to Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Uwajima and Yokohama.

© The Canadian Press, 2007