RELEASE NUMBER 97/15
HONOLULU, HAWAII – Outrigger Resorts in partnership with the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) brought together the U.S. ambassador and Mauritius dignitaries in celebration of the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage. As part of its support to further the mission of the PVS Worldwide Voyage, Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort hosted local government officials of Mauritius, the U.S. ambassador and representatives from the U.S. Embassy as well as key local partners and journalists to share stories of the historic milestones made by Hokulea, Hawaii’s iconic voyaging canoe, and promote the voyage’s mission to caring for our Island Earth.
“The continued global support that the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage has received helps the stories of our historical journey reach so many diverse cultures on our Island Earth,” said Nainoa Thompson, master pwo navigator and president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. “Longtime sponsors like Outrigger Resorts bring a helping hand to a truly challenging voyage, and we are thankful that this partnership allows us to further our work to perpetuate our culture, protect our planet and instill these values in the next generation.”
Hokulea’s crewmembers shared their life-changing experiences on the Worldwide Voyage and its mission of navigating toward a healthy and sustainable future with the event attendees. In addition to the reception, Outrigger and PVS hosted students from two local schools who had the opportunity to visit Hokulea and learn from the crew. The two organizations are also collaborating with Reef Conservation Mauritius, a participating partner in Outrigger Resorts’ global coral health and conservation program, OZONE (Outrigger’s zone), on educational activities and outreach to the local community and schools. Reef Conservation Mauritius, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable use of biodiversity of marine ecosystems, will continue to work with Outrigger Resorts to develop OZONE programs that are dedicated to preserving and restoring the marine environment of Mauritius.
“Outrigger’s values align perfectly with the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s guiding principles and it’s been our honor to assist the crew in the preparations for the next challenging leg of their historic journey as they sail to Madagascar and South Africa,” said Bitsy Kelley, vice president of corporate communications for Outrigger Enterprises Group. “As a Hawaii-based company charting a global expansion, Outrigger is proud to continue on this journey with the Polynesian Voyaging Society as we share the spirit of aloha with people around the world.”
The timing of Hokulea’s arrival in Mauritius was perfectly orchestrated, as it also coincided with Outrigger Resorts’ Founders Day, dedicated to the company’s 68th anniversary and its vision to “share the spirt of aloha” with every guest.”
When complete, the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage, sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines, will have covered more than 60,000 nautical miles, 100 ports, and 27 nations, including 12 of UNESCO’s Marine World Heritage sites. Voyaging from Hawaii in 2013 with an estimated sail conclusion date of June 2017, the Worldwide Voyage is taking the iconic sailing vessel Hokulea around the earth and her sister canoe Hikianalia across Hawaii to grow a global movement toward a more sustainable world. The voyage seeks to engage all of Island Earth – practicing how to live sustainably while sharing Polynesian culture, learning from the past and from each other, creating global relationships, and discovering the wonders of the precious place we call home.
NOTE TO MEDIA: B-roll from Outrigger Resorts and the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s ambassadors event at Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort can be downloaded here.
END