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2016 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 369
Commending the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 4, 2016
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2016

 

WHEREAS, the Polynesian Voyaging Society, an organization that perpetuates the art and science of traditional Polynesian sailing techniques, will visit the Commonwealth in 2016 as part of its voyage to circumnavigate the globe in Hokule‘a, an authentic replica of a Polynesian doubled-hulled voyaging canoe; and

WHEREAS, the Polynesian Voyaging Society originally launched Hokule‘a in 1975, and the canoe has completed nine voyages from its home port in Hawaii to destinations throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, using only traditional methods of nautical wayfaring—reading the sun, moon, stars, winds, waves, and behavior of birds and fish—the rotating crew of Hokule‘a plan to complete a 60,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation of the globe, during which the group will stop at three locations in the Commonwealth in 2016; and

WHEREAS, the Hokule‘a will stop at the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, Tangier Island in Accomack County, and Longwood University’s Hull Springs Farm, an outdoor classroom in Westmoreland County; and

WHEREAS, at each of the stops on the Hokulea’s voyage, the members of the Polynesian Voyaging Society will collect stories from residents of port communities about how they care for local lands and waters; the students and faculty of Longwood University will collaborate with other schools on the Northern Neck to commemorate the historic event; and

WHEREAS, after visiting Virginia, Hokule‘a will continue up the East Coast to meet with President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., and Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon at the United Nations headquarters in New York City; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Polynesian Voyaging Society on the occasion of Hokule‘a’s visit to the Commonwealth in 2016; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Polynesian Voyaging Society for its work to revitalize ancient Polynesian culture and further enrich the maritime heritage shared by many Virginians and people throughout the world.