After sailing for three years and visiting over 150 ports in 27 nations to create a “lei of hope” around the globe, Hawaiʻi’s legendary canoe will be returns home. InterTribal Youth Ambassadors joined Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) in the celebration and engaged in one of the greatest examples of education and global unification for the human family, caring for Mother Earth - "Malama Honua".

Hōkūleʻa made her historic arrival in Ohau, Hawaii on Saturday, June 17. The arrival was followed by a homecoming ceremony and celebration with over 50,000 people in attendance.  In addition, PVS collaborated with the World Youth Congress to host a Youth Summit for the Public students ages 5 – 25. The Youth Summit brought together local and global youth to celebrate mālama honua stories and create a collective call to action for the future stewardship of our Island Earth.

Following the PVS Youth Summit, the World Youth Congress continued for a week of planning and break out sessions. InterTribal Youth Ambassadors honoring Hokulea and participating in the World Youth Congress included 9 Youth Ambassadors and 3 Elders Representing Indigenous Sovereign Nations. Miss Kumeyaay 2017 lead various Kumeyaay Nation Bands, including youth from Viejas, Sycuan, Santa Ysabel, and Barona. Delegation will also include youth from Agua Caliente Band Cahuilla Nations of Southern California with 1 youth from Alaska-Athabascan, 1 from Belize-Mayan-Taino and Mexico-Xicano. 

InterTribal Youth began the "Native Like Water" Campaign with our first visit to Hawaii in 2015. We were hosted and mentored by Na Kama Kai Ohana whom many also serve as crew members of Hokulea or mentored by the Polynesian Voyaging Society.  In January of 2017, Intertribal Youth had the honor of hosting Hokulea Crew, Captain Nainoa Thompson, together with the local tribes of Panama, Central America. This took place towards the end of their transoceanic journey through the Panama Canal on their final leg of the Pacific Voyage, heading home.  

Intertribal Youth Delegation Highlights

• June 17 in honor of the Hokulea Ceremony (open to the public),
• June 18th Youth Summit at Hawaiian Convention Center (registration/ some aspects for public),
• June 19th Inspirational Speakers Series featuring Nainoa Thompson, others. (registration only)
• June 20 for the World Youth Congress (registration only), University of Hawaii, Manoa.
  ITY Ambassadors presented the World Premier of their youth film "Native Like Water: We are Still Here" to the entire World Youth Congress with delegates of 150 youth, representing over 50 nations. 
• June 18-22/25 World Youth Congress Sessions, Planning Works, Community Site Visit

InterTribal Youth Delegation for Hokulea World Voyage Ceremony and World Youth Congress

• Tristen Pena, (15) Santa Ysabel Ipai Kumeyaay Nation, Miss Kumeyaay 2017, InterTribal Youth Ambassador
• Harmony Sigler, (15) Sycuan Kumeyaay Nation, InterTribal Youth Ambassador
• Traveling Wolf Weber (16), Viejas Kumeyaay Nation, InterTribal Youth Ambassador
• Kyra Jenkins (15), Alaska-Ahtna Nation, InterTribal Youth Ambassador
• Shuluuk Leo, (16) Viejas Kumeyaay Nation, InterTribal Youth Ambassador
• Amon Chavez, (17) Belize / Xicano Nations, InterTribal Youth Ambassador 
• Trinity Galindo,(17) Agua Caliente Cahuilla Nation, InterTribal Youth Ambassador
• Justice Galindo, (14) Agua Caliente Cahuilla Nation, InterTribal Youth Ambassador
• Huumaay Banegas, (14) Barona Kumeyaay Nation, InterTribal Youth Ambassador

Elders/Chaperones

• Larry "Motto" Banegas, Barona Kumeyaay Nation, Professor Kumeyaay Community College, InterTribal Youth Honored Elder
• Charlene Worrell, Sycuan Kumeyaay Nation, Tribal Leader (Female Chaperone)
• Marc Chavez, Xicano/Nahuatl/ Mexicano Nations. Founder/Director InterTribal Youth
• Denise Mahaffey, Kumeyaay.com, Press and Media

More info on the Hokulea World Voyage, Malama Honua, Homecoming Ceremony
More ifno on World Youth Congress