“Big Dream Project"-The Legacy of 2007 Hokule’a Voyage Will Live on in the Hearts of Students and Teachers in Japan

A Japanese crew member Takuji Araki has been concerned about the state of his country. Every year, over 30,000 people commit a suicide in Japan, devoid of hopes and dreams for the future. Takuji believes that dream is what will save the lives of children and the future of his country. And education is a key in bringing about change in the Japanese society. It is in this hope that Takuji started a program with the support of captains of the Hokule’a to have students and teachers stay overnight on the canoe.

At each port, Takuji hosts a maximum of 10 students and teachers to spend overnight on the canoe. While onboard the canoe, participants learn about life at sea on the Hokule’a and the basics of star navigation. In the past, Captain Chad Babayan and Nainoa Thompson joined Takuji and shared with participants their knowledge on star-navigation as well as their wisdom gained in their experience in sailing on the voyaging canoes. Takuji recalls what Captain Babayan said to a group of students in Fukuoka: “Our biggest enemy is fear. And in order to overcome fear, you need a dream. A big dream will turn into courage that will then help you overcome your fear. Tonight, you sleep on the Hokule’a and think about your dream under the vast sky. In the morning, the dream will have turned into courage to push you forward.” This is how the program was given the name: “Big Dream Project”.

Takuji never fails to mention the story of Eddie Aikau, his hero, and the reason why he became the crew member of the Hokule’a. By sharing the story of Eddie and himself, he is sharing his dream and the power of dream in guiding one’s life and navigating difficult time. In the eyes of students, Takuji is a living example of someone pursuing a dream, a dream big and daring enough to overcome fear.

After talk-story time, participants go to an assigned bunk, to dream about a dream big enough to push them forward. And in the darkness and stillness of the night on the canoe, students and teachers come in contact with the essence of the Hokule’a.

Next morning, students wake up to the crisp air of early morning. One cannot help noticing a renewed sense of being in the façade of sleepy faces. Something must have been born in the darkness of the night. Students disembark the canoe with a spark in their eyes.

What Hokule’a is about is not something to be explained, but to be felt. The power and stories of the Hokule’a are universal at its core and seem to have the power to transcend cultural boundaries. Tears and spark in the eyes of students and teachers attest to the universal values of the message that the Hokule’a carries and the legacy of the 2007 voyage will live on in the hearts of those who came in contact with the essence of her and will ripple across our country.


Kyoko Ikeda

AAAAHHH, Mahalo nui,
for your story of the big dream project, yes the Hokule'a has great healing mana to share with everyone and anyone who comes to her. The souls that are encased within her hulls are there to guide and protect her journeys, and now another journey is about to come to a close and along the way many lives have been touch and, yes changed forever. We the members of the wa'a Kamakura will continue in this healing tradition to build the big dream of Tiger Espere and to secure a cultural and loving relationship that was establish since his coming in 1998. The children of Japan are being exposed to many distraction as we are now living in a high tech age they are forgeting about the life of our kupuna (elder) and the simple things that create a healtier way of life for the survival of this earth that we all share. We thank and bless all the crew of Hokule'a for the inspiration for our group Kamakura Kama O Kala to make Tiger's Big Dream come true.
A Pai, A Pai, A Pai Kalanakila Ka Hokule'a!

Bradda Lou

Aloha Kyoko,

Mahalo nui for your retelling of the story of Taku and his dream with the students. It brings to mind what we are also trying to do here in Hawaii. It has been a wonderful and eye-opening experience to have sailed with you, Taku, and Kana during my too short stay there in Japan. This exchange of culture, ideas, dreams, and hopes will only further our collective vision for the future. The strengthening of our cultures will only strengthen world humanity. E holomua kakou a hui hou aku me ke aloha.

Malama pono
Dennis