In 2023, a Polynesian voyaging canoe called Hōkūleʻa set out to circumnavigate the Pacific Ocean and uncover, recover, and reclaim culture, traditions, and a deeper relationship with Earth. The purpose of the voyage was to develop young leaders and connect communities with our oceans, science, and indigenous wisdom. As our speaker Nainoa Thompson said, “the ocean doesn’t separate us—it connects us,” a sentiment that is also relevant in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Speaker:

• Nainoa Thompson, Pwo Navigator and CEO of Polynesian Voyaging Society