OluKai, who has supported The Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage since it kicked off in 2013, continues their partnership with the monumental four year trip by supporting the next leg, said to be the most dangerous, beginning off the coast of South Africa.
The journey that covers 47,000 nautical miles, 85 ports and 26 countries, the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage is sailing across the Earth’s oceans to join and grow the global movement toward a more sustainable world.
Ensuring that Hawaiian culture and tradition remains honored and preserved is a focus that OluKai and The Hokule’a both share. OluKai supports the crews onboard the Hokule’a and Hikiananlia, two sailing canoes built with the same ingenuity that brought the first Polynesians to the archipelago of Hawaii, by providing new and innovative shoes, such as the Hokua Pahu to wear test and share feedback throughout their journey.
Along with partnering with the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage, The Ama OluKai Foundation, a non-profit started by OluKai that gives back to the Hawaiian community, contributes to the Polynesian Voyage Society, which is a local Hawaiian organization and a key sponsor of the Hokule’a.
The Polynesian Voyage Society supports the spirit of exploration through educational experiences that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, one another, and their natural and cultural environments.
OluKai and the Ama OluKai Foundation are proud to support these local organizations, as the crew members on both the Hokule’a and Hikiananlia will sail using the 3,000 year old traditional method of Polynesian deep sea navigation, with no modern instruments.
OluKai’s Konohiki (caretaker) and intrepid Hawaiian waterman, Archie Kalepa will be onboard the vessel, along with his crewmates, as they navigate the strong winds and rough currents that make up the Drake passage. A highly respected waterman from Hawaii, Kalepa is widely considered to be one of Hawaii’s greatest ocean sports pioneers.
An exceptional Hawaiian Lifeguard, big wave surfer and sailor, Archie was inducted into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation’s Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame. Archie joined the OluKai marketing team full-time as the Konohiki , where he supports the brand in remaining authentic to the ocean lifestyle and respectful of the Hawaiian culture.
The Hawaiian name for this voyage, Malama Honua, means “to take care of our Earth.”
The Worldwide Voyage means to show the world how we can engage all of Island Earth—by practicing how to live sustainably, while sharing, learning, creating global relationships, and discovering the wonders of this precious place we all call home.
The awareness of global sustainability is a consistent trait from the Hawaiian Islands that is also a huge part of OluKai’s mantra “Anywhere Aloha.” OluKai is proud to have their Konohiki on board helping to create a network of people that are conscious of the impact we have on our world.
You can take part in the journey by following the voyage on www.olukai.com/hokulea/ and the @OluKai social channels where Archie will be live blogging and providing frequent status updates.
About OluKai
OluKai is a luxury lifestyle brand that believes everyone, no matter where they are, can live Aloha. OluKai’s Anywhere Aloha™ Campaign proves that though Aloha was born in Hawaii, it is a spirit not bound by geography. Aloha is one way to unlock its spirit in all of us. Each pair of OluKai footwear features beautiful, quality materials and handcrafted details inspired by island culture. The company is committed to building a unique and better class of products that blend ocean heritage with modern performance while leaving the smallest footprint possible on the planet. In every facet of its business, the brand is committed to respecting the people and the environments it touches. For more information visit www.OluKai.com.
