Junior Rex Lokeni, a volunteer at the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa will be the first Samoan crew member for the Hokule’a, a traditional voyaging canoe that will arrive in the territory on August 21, 2014 as part of its worldwide journey of 36 months which will include stops in the Society Islands, New Zealand, the Galapagos, Rapa Nui, and Brazil.

Lokeni was selected by the Pacific Voyaging Society and had to undergo a series of training exercises in preparation for the trip. He will hop on board the Hokule’a for the leg of the journey from Pago Pago to Samoa, Tokelau, Orona (Hull) and Kanton of the Phoenix Islands (Kiribati), Swains Island, Aunu’u, and then back to American Samoa on October 12.

Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga will join Lokeni and the rest of the Hokule’a crew members for the aforementioned stops, although he will be hopping on board from Samoa on August 30.

“Being a crew member doesn’t mean you can stand around and be a spectator on board,” explained Apulu Veronika Molio’o Mortensen, the education and outreach coordinator for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. “This is all part of being a team and everybody on board is expected to pull their own weight, helping out with everything and working alongside all the other crew members to ensure a smooth and safe journey.”

The Hokule’a is as traditional as a canoe can be, featuring only a sail that is pushed by the wind and ocean currents. The vessel has no nails but is held together by six miles of lines (rope).

The Hokule’a is being accompanied by a more modern Hikianalia, which has a crew count of 20 volunteers including researchers and medical personnel who will provide support for the Hokule’a and its crew.

When the Hokule’a arrives in the territory on August 21, two fautasi will escort the vessel into the harbor before a canoe picks up the crew members and escorts them to the Suigaula ole Atuvasa Beach Park in Utulei where a welcoming ‘ava ceremony will take place at 3 p.m.

Festivities will follow, including special performances by the Swains Island community members and the students of the American Samoa Community College.

Earlier in the day, at 11 a.m. in the Rotunda Room at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, there will be private viewing of Jean Michel Cousteau’s PBS documentary: “Swains Island – The Last Jewel of the Planet.” (The same film will be launched publicly the next day on August 22 at 9 a.m. at the Ocean Center).

DIGNITARIES

Notable individuals who will be in the territory during the arrival of the Hokule’a include “Her Deepness” Dr. Sylvia Earle, a renowned oceanographer who has explored the deepest depths as the only female scientist and diver. Dr. Earle is an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society and she recently led a Google Ocean Advisory Council, consisting of 30 marine scientists, to provide content and scientific oversight for the “Ocean in Google Earth.”

Dr. Earle has led over 70 expeditions and has logged more than 65,000 hours underwater.

Also expected to be in the territory next month is Jean Michel Cousteau, a French ocean explorer, environmentalist, educator, film producer and son of Jacques Cousteau. The younger Cousteau investigated the world’s oceans aboard the Calypso and Alycone for most of his life and in 1999 he founded the Ocean Futures Society. He has produced more than 80 films and has received an Emmy Award, the Peabody Award, the 7 ‘d’Or and the Cable Ace Award.

Cousteau became a syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times and his articles have appeared in more than 60 newspapers worldwide. The NMSAS says that Cousteau “reaches out to millions of people globally through the Ocean Futures Society and he continues to produce environmentally oriented adventure programs and television specials, public service announcements, multi-media programs for schools, web-based marine content books, and articles for magazines, newspaper columns and public lectures.”

Lastly, Executive Director of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), Nainoa Thompson, will also be in the territory. Thompson has played a big role in the design, construction, sailing and navigating of the Hokule’a since 1976. Under his supervision, the PVS completed the construction of the canoe out of traditional materials in 1994.

According to the NMSAS, “Nainoa studied non-instrument navigation – or wayfinding – under master navigator Mau Piailug of Satawal, Micronesia. He is the first Hawaiian to practice the art of wayfinding on long distance ocean voyages since traditional voyaging ended around the 14th century.  Nainoa’s first long voyage happened in 1980, where he navigated the Hokule’a from Hawaii to Tahiti and back.  From 1985-1987, Thompson navigated Hokule’a without instruments across Polynesia, from Hawaii to New Zealand and back, stopping at islands on the way and covering more than 16,000 ocean miles.”

Thompson is leading the World Wide Voyage.