Hokule’a and Kama Hele departed Muroto, on the island of Shikoku, at 1:30 a.m. yesterday, and made it across the Kii Strait by 12 noon. The shipping traffic was not as heavy as expected, but the crossing was made safer by daylight. A highlight of the crossing was sighting a pod of small whales.

At Cape Shiono, the vessels went under the bridge connecting the town of Kushimoto to Oshima island. Kushimoto is small fishing town and we spotted a boat towing in a large cage used for aquaculture. Just past the town we could see the backside of the famous shoreline formation called Hashigui iwa, bridge post rocks, which look like the remnants of a ruined bridge (see Photo Gallery).

We traveled all last night and today, arriving at Cape Iro on Izu peninsula at about 3 p.m., then on into the sea of Sagami, past Toshima and Oshima, two volcanic offshore islands. The traffic in and around the Sea of Sagami was heavier than in the Kii strait, with as many as a dozen ships and fishing boats leaving in or entering from different directions. A couple of pod of dolphins swam by. Piles of birds, shearwaters and petrels, appeared. A couple of sleek, speedy fishing boats changed their courses and motored up to get a closer look at the first Polynesian voyaging canoe to enter the Sea of Sagami.

As the sunsets at 7 p.m. the temperature has dropped. And everyone is bundled up in cold weather gear. All are doing well.

Hokule’a and Kama Hele are expected to arrive at Pukari Pier, in Minato Mirai, Yokohama, on June 9 JST (June 8 HST). In the meantime, it plans to visit Kamakura to honor the work of Tiger Espere in Japan.

Crewmembers at Yokohama, June 10. The Awa ceremony did by Keli'i Taua.

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/hokulea2006/47552403.html

A translator Kato Kosei navigated two master navigators Bruce Brankenfeld and Nainoa Thompson from reception venue to their hotel.

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/hokulea2006/47553716.html

(All pictures by Kato Kosei, all rights NOT reserved, you can use freely)

Aloha Kato-Sama, Yes! Trully indeed- Mahalo,Mahalo,Mahalo; and again many, many more "Thank-You" for your "Un-Conditional Love" for the success of "Hokule'a"/One Ocean-One People... Your organizing, interpreting, while also the commitment with conciction that you express for the "General Whole" is trully "Awesome" Imua Ka Kou/ Gambarre Go foward "SAIL-On"... Kosei-san maybe you can make a time and come to Molokai and "Re-Energize" (charge your batteries) and become "mesmerized" and Enjoy our "God's Country"- Please do not hesitate in contacting us here on the "Friendly-Family Island "God-Speed" for you and yours Aloha jmc (saito iruka)