HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - After weeks of sailing with nothing but ocean as far as the eye can see, the crews of the Hokulea and Hikianalia reached New Zealand.

The first spotted land on Wednesday before making landfall Friday morning.

Video from the Polynesian Voyaging Society shows Hokulea Captain Lehua Kamalu on the canoe’s radio Wednesday evening, communicating with the crew in Olelo Hawaii.

Since the sister canoes arrived a week before their scheduled welcome ceremony on Nov. 14, the crew will observe a “kapu,” putting them in a state of reflection with no public engagements, until the two waʻa are formally received.

The canoes will eventually be drydocked for the season until the Pacific tour continues next year.

See Full Page