Hokule‘a captain
Thompson is injuredHe may have a broken rib but will
continue and plans to return
in early June
Nainoa Thompson, the captain of the voyaging canoe Hokule'a, injured his back Saturday afternoon while on the canoe's journey through the Northwest Hawaiian Islands.
Thompson may have broken a rib, according to Elisa Yadao, a spokeswoman for the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
Initially, the canoe's doctor, Cherie Shehata, determined the safest course would be to evacuate Thompson by aircraft, Yadao said.
Thompson is missing his right lung, and his doctors in Hawaii were concerned that the broken rib could puncture his left lung.
Doctors were also concerned the constant motion of the canoe may exacerbate the injury.
Hokule'a returned to Tern Island in French Frigate Shoals to prepare for the possible evacuation, but after observing Thompson for 24 hours, doctors determined the safer course would be for him to remain with the voyage. Thompson, however, is restricting his activity on board and will return in early June from Midway Island.
He does not have shortness of breath or any symptoms to indicate that his health is being compromised, Yadao said. He is not in any severe discomfort.
"Safety is always our first priority," Thompson said. "We plan for every possible scenario and were well prepared to deal with this matter. All of our safety protocols were followed and the well-being of the crew and the mission of our voyage have not been compromised."
The canoe is heading toward Midway and will continue with its original sail plan, returning in late June.
Thompson is a master navigator and sail master with the voyaging society.
This is his sixth voyage on the Hokule'a, and his fifth as navigator.
A University of Hawaii graduate, Thompson perfected the art of traditional navigation using the stars, waves and other signs of nature.
Hokule'a set sail from Hanalei, Kauai, on May 23 with 12 crew members on a 1,200-mile voyage, "Navigating Change," aimed at raising public awareness of the environmental decline in the Hawaiian islands. The journey started more than two weeks late, due to poor weather.