The crew of Hokule'a spotted Okinawa about 4 p.m. yesterday Hawai'i time, a spokeswoman said.

Captain and Navigator Nainoa Thompson commended the other 10 crew members for their efforts in voyaging to the southern island of Japan, Kathryn Muneno said.

The canoe accompanied voyaging canoe Alingano Maisu from Hawai'i to Micronesia earlier this year, where the latter canoe was presented as a gift to the Micronesian voyaging community.

Now Hokule'a is proceeding on the second part of its voyage, named Ku Holo La Komohana (Sail on to the Western Sun), a goodwill mission to the islands of Japan.

Hokule'a is sailing for the port of Itoman on the southwestern side of Okinawa.