[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 74 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY FOR THE MALAMA HONUA 
                            WORLDWIDE VOYAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK TAKAI

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2016

  Mr. TAKAI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Polynesian Voyaging 
Society and to commend its sailors' current journey across the world's 
oceans, as part of the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage, on the two 
Polynesian voyaging canoes, Hokulea and Hikianalia.
  Formed in 1973 to revive Polynesian navigation practices many thought 
were lost to history, the Polynesian Voyaging Society built a voyaging 
canoe based on ancient sketches and in 1976 sailed from Hawaii to 
Tahiti only by using observations of the stars, sun, ocean swells, and 
other natural patterns. Now, the Polynesian Voyaging Society is 
bringing their awesome feat to the rest of the world through its 
worldwide voyage, called Malama Honua, which means ``to care for our 
Earth.''
  As Hokulea circumnavigates the globe, the voyagers hope to teach and 
learn from others how to harness our world's traditions to protect our 
cultural and environmental resources for future generations. In a time 
when world powers and leading scientists struggle to mitigate climate 
change through modern technology and politics, this triumph of ancient 
Polynesian navigation shows us the power of nature and importance of 
sustainability and stewardship for Island Earth.
  So, on behalf of Congress, I honor the Polynesian Voyaging Society 
for its decades of accomplishments and celebrate the Malama Honua 
Worldwide Voyage. I hope to speak of their mission and values for years 
to come.

                          ____________________