As part of HoMA’s 16th annual Surf Film Festival, Family Sunday teams up with the Polynesian Voyaging Society to celebrate our ocean culture.
The day includes art making, interactive games, demonstrations, storytelling, and more!
Explore the Arts of Hawai’i galleries and outdoor spaces for a day of inspiration, and don’t miss the free film screening of Hōkūleʻa: Finding the Language of the Navigator in the Doris Duke Theatre.
Live performance
Story time with Author, Kanako Uchino & music by Cellist, Josh Nakazawa
Art activities
NOAA Marine Debris Art Project, Make your own Hokule`a Canoe, Paint with Ocean Water, Voyage for Earth Drawing
Community activities
Knot Tying, Water Carry, Puzzles, Star Compass Navigation
Schedule
Central Courtyard • 10am-2pm
Station #1: Knot Tying
Try your hand at one of the most important parts of voyaging, knot tying!
Station #2: Transform Trash into Art
Help turn trash into art and action! NOAA invites you to a hands-on Marine Debris Art Project, where you'll learn about the impact of marine debris and create community art from ocean-bound waste. This family-friendly event combines science, creativity, and stewardship to raise awareness and inspire solutions to mālama our oceans.
Come learn, create, and kōkua for the health of our ocean. Let’s make a difference—together.
Station #3: Water Carry
Being on the ocean requires strong minds and bodies - see how fast you can transport the water jugs voyagers take aboard.
Station #4: Voyaging Puzzles
Put ʻem together and take ʻem part - learn more about the star compass and the waʻa with puzzles.
Stage:
Mele brings joy to the crew and tells important stories. Enjoy some of the crewʻs favorite songs.
Mediterranean Courtyard • 10am-2pm
Drawing Activity: Voyage for Earth
It’s your turn to join the voyage...take the pledge and share how you will voyage for earth.
Luce Pavillion Pergola • 10am-2pm
Star Compass Navigation
Nainoa Thompson and other navigators use the Hawaiian Star Compass to guide their journey on the ocean. Engage with the star compass to learn more about how to navigate.
Kinau Courtyard • 10am-2pm
Drop-in Art Activity: Paint with Ocean Water
Artist Hana Yoshihata shares her voyaging inspired art proect - "This way of has taught me a lot about listening to and working with the ocean."
Palm Courtyard • 10am-2pm
Drop-in Art Activity: Make your own Hokule`a Canoe
Keiki Waʻa Project. You can build and decorate your own Hokule`a model wa`a (canoe). This activity stirs the imagination of your own voyage on a wa`a, built with your own two hands!
Chinese Courtyard • 12pm
Storytime & Music with Author, Kanako Uchino, and Cellist, Josh Nakazawa
Be transported to the open ocean alongside Hōkūleʻa’s original manu (ornamental endpieces) in this special story time.
Author and Polynesian Voyaging Society crewmember Kanako Uchino reads her book, Stars, Ocean and Voyaging Canoe, accompanied by cellist Josh Nakazawa. 20-minute reading with music.
Doris Duke Theatre • 2pm
Hōkūleʻa: Finding the Language of the Navigator
In 2006, cultural anthropologist Wade Davis sailed with master navigator Nainoa Thompson to learn about the art of wayfinding. Fifteen years later the two explorers contemplate the mysteries of traditional navigation and a future inspired by the language of the navigator.
Directed by: Ty Sanga
