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Henare Te Ua commentates from Rarotonga as the ocean going vaka [canoe] "Hōkūle'a" is farewelled at Avana Harbour in the Cook Islands, as it sets out for its return voyage to Hawaii.
One of the captains of Hōkūle'a, Clay Bertelmann, is interviewed about voyaging on ocean-going vaka. He was captain on the voyage from Hawaii to Tahiti, and also on "Te Aurere" from New Zealand to the Cook Islands. There will be thirteen crew on the return trip to Hawaii, which he estimates will take thirty-six days. He talks about crew training, provisions and the desire to return to the sea once he gets home. He describes the voyage of Te Aurere as a difficult one, and talks about some of the problems they encountered.
Henare Te Ua interviews Hekenukumai Busby, who has been responsible for the revival of ocean-going waka building. He talks about Hōkūle'a, which he has been involved with since 1983.
There are recordings made at the farewell ceremony including a speech by Sir Thomas Davis, former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, who is also a long-time researcher into ocean waka. He talks about the history of voyaging across the Pacific. Prayers and hymns are sung.
Nainoa Thompson, navigator of Hōkūle'a, speaks about the project. Stanley Conrad, Te Aurere's captain, also comments.