World’s ‘most beautiful ship’ is at Honolulu Harbor — and you can take a tour

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The pride of the Italian Navy — Amerigo Vespucci — is in Honolulu through Sunday and open for the public to visit.

The training vessel was welcomed this morning by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, military and diplomatic officials, and members of the local Italian community.

“Given my Italian heritage, this is just something really extra special. But we are greatly honored to have the crew and the ship here in Honolulu,” Blangiardi said.

Dubbed the “Most Beautiful Ship in the World,” the Vespucci was last in Honolulu 22 years ago during its first world tour.

Now it’s halfway into its second world tour, stopping in 32 countries over two years and giving Naval Academy cadets real world experience. Every Italian sailor has trained on the Vespucci since 1931.

“It’s a tradition that goes back 93 years,” said Captain Giuseppe Lai, commander of the Amerigo Vespucci. “The mission is to represent Italy, to represent our culture, our tradition, our technology, our research, in a world tour that is not only about Italian defense.”

The crew has about 300 people, including cadets who do everything from clean the ship to climb the masts and secure the sails to maneuver the vessel from the bridge.

“I hope to learn the most possible that I can in this ship in order to make experience and be a good commander like the commander of the ship,” said cadet Andrea Nifosi, who added he’s excited to see Hawaii for the first time.

Italian officials say the ship is part of a larger strategy to affirm Rome’s commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific.

Case in point, another Italian Navy ship, the ITS Montecuccoli, is taking part in the Rim of the Pacific military exercise — a first for the country.

“I think this is a really a big example a bigger signal that we are here and we are pleased to have our presence here,” Lai said.

“It’s an historical moment we haven’t been having such a great show of Italian navy since a long time as commander was saying, and I think having their presence here means building more bridges between Hawaii and Italy,” said Italian consul general Sergio Strozzi from the consulate in San Francisco.

“Italy is big and booming not only in the traditional sector like food and but also as far as sailing, navy maritime sciences is concerned, environmental sciences and climate change.”

Italy’s honorary consul in Hawaii Michele Carbone says about 500 Italian nationals live in Hawaii, while many more Hawaii residents identify with some Italian ancestry.

“I hope that many residents here will come to see the most beautiful ship of the world, and that the two culture will learn to become friends with each other because in fact we share the same culture,” Carbone said.

The ship is open for free tours at Pier 9 in Honolulu Harbor through Sunday. Here are the visiting hours:

• Thursday, July 25: 3-7 p.m.
• Friday, July 26: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.
• Saturday, July 27: noon to 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, July 28: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour, visit TourVespucci.it.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.