(BIVN) – Four years after setting sail from Palekai in Keaukaha, the legendary Hōkūleʻa voyaging canoe returned to Hilo, several months after completing the world-wide Mālama Honua voyage.

The iconic double-hull canoe landed at Kahele Point fronting the Grand Naniloa Hotel, just a few beaches away from where it left in May 2014. Hōkūleʻa completed the journey and returned with fanfare to Magic Sands on June 17, 2017.

Kalani Kahalioumi greeted after bringing Hōkūleʻa back to Hilo

Hōkūle‘a and sister canoe Hikianalia covered a combined 60,000 nautical miles, visited over 150 ports and 23 countries and territories worldwide.

Hōkūle`a, docked at Kahele Point

However, Hōkūle‘a has not been back to Hawaiʻi Island since the day it departed on its global voyage. The vessel has already visited with the other islands on its Mahalo Hawaiʻi tour. Finally, last week, the canoe came to Moku O Keawe, arriving in Kailua-Kona last week.

The formal homecoming ceremony featured Masters of Ceremony Patrick Kahawaiolaʻa and KITV’s Paula Akana, welcoming oli and hula by Keaukaha Elementary School and Oahu halau Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua under Snowbird Bento, and music by Paula Fuga and Lito Arkangel.

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim spoke at the event and the Hawaiʻi County Council honored the voyagers with a proclamation.

Paula Fuga sings “Hōkūle`a, Star of Gladness”, the same song she sang at Palekai in 2014.

Big Island Video News will have the full video later this evening.