Together, they formed the Polynesian Voyaging Society and named the new canoe Hōkūleʻa, the Hawaiian name of the star Arcturus, which is an important beacon in Hawaiian navigation.

But a canoe launched half a century ago helped turn Hawaiian culture from a source of shame to one of pride, reviving the skill of traveling the seas by decoding the stars, waves and weather.

But a canoe launched half a century ago helped turn Hawaiian culture from a source of shame to one of pride, reviving the skill of traveling the seas by decoding the stars, waves and weather.

The easy answer is to look to the experts and consider the setting that routinely finds itself on top 10 rankings of the best beaches in the entire world: Hāpuna Beach on the Big Island.

Audio transcript SCOTT DETROW, HOST: Hundreds of paddlers from around the world gathered in Hawaii last week to compete in a 41-mile women's outrigger canoe race.

But a canoe launched half a century ago helped turn Hawaiian culture from a source of shame to one of pride, reviving the skill of traveling the seas by decoding the stars, waves and weather.