Honolulu, HI

POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY

EIN 23-7302232

Education & Youth Development Teaching & Educational Innovation Children & youth Indigenous communities

Mission

Perpetuating the legacy of traditional Polynesian voyaging.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible

About POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY

The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 to revive and perpetuate traditional Polynesian voyaging and non-instrument wayfinding. The organization builds, maintains, and sails performance-accurate voyaging canoes (notably Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia) to teach navigation, cultural knowledge, and stewardship of the ocean. PVS operates public voyaging programs, educational initiatives (including the Waʻa Honua online learning platform), and community partnerships that blend cultural practice, environmental advocacy, and experiential education. In recent years PVS has marked milestones including Hōkūleʻa’s 50th anniversary in 2025, ongoing Moananuiākea voyage activity in 2026, and leadership development through inductions of new Pwo navigators.

Notable achievements

Revival of traditional wayfinding

PVS led the modern revival of Polynesian non‑instrument navigation and voyaging, restoring intergenerational knowledge and inspiring a Pacific‑wide renaissance in canoe building, navigation training, and cultural pride.

Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage (2014–2017)

PVS completed a multi-year worldwide voyaging initiative that visited UNESCO marine World Heritage sites and other global ports to elevate ocean stewardship and cultural education on an international scale.

Hōkūleʻa 50th milestone & continuing voyaging

Hōkūleʻa has completed numerous deep‑sea voyages across decades (nearly 300,000 miles and more than a dozen major voyages) and PVS organized major public commemorations for the canoe’s 50th birthday in 2025 and leadership inductions into 2026.

At a glance

Total assets: $4.0M
Annual revenue: $3.8M
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 23-7302232
Location: Honolulu, HI
Website: hokulea.com
On Mahalo since: September 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Partnership with UNESCO to highlight marine World Heritage sites and to promote cultural and environmental awareness through voyaging.

High third‑party transparency and performance recognition; profile and four‑star/91% score reported by charity evaluation organizations.

Featured subject of major documentary and public media projects (including PBS productions and independent films) that document and amplify the society’s cultural and educational work.

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