The voyaging canoe Hokule`a will visit Cuba during the Caribbean leg of its Malama Honua around-the-world voyage, the Polynesian Voyaging Society announced today.

The four-day visit will begin on March 17. It is unclear if the Hokule`a visit may overlap with President Barack Obama’s two-day trip to the island nation on March 21-22.

The voyaging society said it worked with the Cubanakoa Foundation and Altruvistas on an itinerary for the Hokule`a crew that includes a meeting with the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples about U.S.-Cuba relations; briefings on Cuba’s marine conservation, urban sustainability and environmental efforts; and discussions about cultural connections between Cuba, Hawaii and other island nations.

“Visiting Cuba supports the mission of the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage. Because of the country’s political situation over the last few decades, Cuba has developed sustainability practices that are now considered a model for the rest of the world,” Nainoa Thompson, the voyaging society president, said in a news release. “We look forward to learning more about Cuba’s cultural and environmental preservation efforts, and we hope to share the commonalities between Hawaii and this island nation.”

Hokule`a arrived in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, on Sunday, and is expected to depart for the British Virgin Islands on March 4, weather permitting. After the Cuba visit, Hokulea will sail to Florida, then up the East Coast, reaching New York City by June 8, for World Oceans Day.

Since departing Hawaiian waters in May 2014, Hokule`a has sailed more than 21,000 nautical miles and made stops in 12 countries and 55 ports, weaving a “Lei of Hope” around the world.

In addition to the president, there are a number of other high profile visits to Cuba this month. The Tampa Bay Rays are expected to play the first Major League Baseball exhibition game in Cuba since 1999 and the Rolling Stones will perform in concert on March 25.

Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced on Dec. 17, 2014, that both countries were moving to normalize their relations.

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The Associated Press contributed to this story.