About Hikianalia

About Hikianalia
Posted on October 9, 2012

Like Hōkūle‘a, Hikianalia carries a Hawaiian star name. Spica (Hikianalia) rises together with Arcturus (Hōkūle‘a) in Hawai‘i. “They are sister stars because they break the horizon together, and Hikianalia will be the first wa‘a, or traditional double-hulled canoe, to accompany Hōkūle‘a as an escort vessel,” explains master navigator Bruce Blankenfeld.

Voyaging Leadership from all over the Pacific infused Hikianalia with their mana and drew from hers in return.

Hikianalia at the Salthouse Boat Builders in New Zealand. From Pacific Voyagers website

Hikianalia will sail alongside Hōkūle‘a as part of the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s 2013 Worldwide Voyage and will be a vital component in the WWV’s educational endeavors.

Hikianalia in Auckland Harbor. Pacific Voyagers website

Hikianalia is a high-tech, eco-friendly double-hulled canoe constructed by master boat builders in Auckland, New Zealand. She is made from the same mold as the seven waka moana of the Pacific Voyagers that sailed to Hawai‘i in 2011.

Vaka Moana. From the Pacific Voyagers website.

Hikinanalia has electric rather than diesel motors, and in-board propellers. She is 72 feet long, 23 feet wide, and has a carrying capacity of 30,000 gross tonnage. Each of Hikianalia’s hulls contains an electric motor powered by onboard photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight to electric propulsive energy.

Hikianalia was launched in Auckland on September 15^th. Since then, crewmembers have put her through extensive sea trials.

“She has great balance and sails beautifully,” says Blankenfeld, who will captain Hikianalia from Aotearoa to Tahiti. “Like all canoes, she’s definitely a living entity and will be a faithful companion to Hōkūle‘a during the Worldwide Voyage.”

Hikianalia is expected to reach Pape‘ete in 3 weeks, accompanied by the Tahitian canoe Fa‘afaite. A new crew will sail Hikianalia to Hawai‘i from Tahiti and will make landfall in Hilo.