Hawaii to Tahiti Bicentennial Voyage of Rediscovery 1976 Sticker

Setting sail on May 1, 1976, the Hōkūleʻa embarked from Hawaii on her 2,500-mile voyage, arriving in Tahiti on June 4, thirty-four days after departing from Honolua Bay, Maui. Billed as the Bicentennial Voyage of Rediscovery, the primary goal of this trip was to support the theory of Asiatic origin of native Oceanic people, Polynesians, and Hawaiians, while proving that ancient open water voyaging techniques and non-instrument navigation allowed for migration and travel. In Hawaiian, the name Hōkūleʻa means 'Star of Gladness' and refers to Arcturus, one of the guiding stars for Hawaiian navigators, which passes directly over Hawaii’s latitude, helping guide sailors to the island chain.