June 10, 2007

Yokohama, Japan – Hokule’a’s 149-day, 7,375 mile voyage through Micronesia and Japan came to a triumphant end in Yokohama Bay on Friday, June 8th as the double-hulled canoe pulled up to the dock at about 4pm, Hawai’i time – Saturday, June 9th at 11am, Japan time. Several hundred people greeted the crews of Hokule’a, captained by Bruce Blankenfeld, and the escort boat Kama Hele, captained by Mike Taylor. This voyage was Hokule’a’s first to the western Pacific and the first time she has sailed to nations outside of Polynesia.

With a blow of the pu, first by Taylor then by one of two Hokule’a crewmember’s who was on the entire voyage Atwood Makanani, Hokule’a arrived at her final port, the same port where King David Kalakaua arrived 126 years ago. On board Hokule’a, Kahu Kaniala Akaka chanted a blessing as Hokule’a docked. On the dock to welcome the crews with a chant in return was Kumu Keli’i Taua. That was followed by the welcoming protocol of the Royal Order of Kamehameha. Four members were on the dock while one member, Leighton Tseu, was on Hokule’a. They were there to greet Hokule’a and honor King Kalakaua’s historic arrival in 1881, which established the King’s relationship with Emperor Meiji and lead to the opening of immigration from Japan to Hawai’i.

Also among those on hand to greet the vessels: Hawai’i expatriates, including sumotori Akebono or Chad Rowan and Yamato or George Kalima, both retired in Japan now, Japanese hula halau, and representative from about 50 Japanese media outlets.

A ceremony was held on dock, followed by a press conference. Another welcome ceremony was held at noon yesterday, followed by a dinner reception hosted by the government of Yokohama. Most crewmembers will remain in Yokohama for the week to conduct canoe tours, give presentations at schools and make courtesy calls. On Saturday, June 16th (Friday, Hawai’i time), a two-hour final event will be held involving Governor Linda Lingle, Amy Hanaiali’ Gilliom, Pukalani Hula Hale and Mi’ilani Cooper’s halau.

Polynesian Voyaging Society President Nainoa Thompson commends and thanks the more than 200 crewmembers who participated in this voyage, the leadership, the hundreds of volunteers, the voyage sponsors and supporters for making this historic voyage possible, and in the end successful and with everyone safe and well. Thompson told the people of Yokohama that the success of the voyage to Japan and the kindness with which they were received at each of the 8 ports, gives encouragement that Hokule’a will continue to voyage beyond the Polynesian Triangle, to touch people in a way that celebrates what makes each other unique while honoring shared values and encouraging the caring of our environment and one another in a never-ending endeavor to foster peace and harmony.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We deeply admire you. Thanking God for the good Spirits of Heaven that inspired you... and then carried you through many dangers and difficulties--for the good of mankind!

I am doing art from the fantastic photos, if you don't mind. Please let me know if this is OK.

Thank you!!

Love,
Ana (artist and mom)

Congratulations! This has been an exciting journey to follow on-line. We are proud of you and of each of your accomplishments.

A hui hou, me ke aloha pumehana,

Beth A. Saurer-Atuatasi and 'ohana
San Diego, Kaliponia

A dream of a lifetime, but a life that fell short.In 2001 my brother Tiger Espere told the story of Hokule'a to his Japan family and said that she will come one day to honor and to connect the deep relationship of our canoe culture, and the seed was planted to build the canoe Kamakura for the people of Japan. His love for this place and people who shared their culture and opened their hearts and made such a spiritual bonding with him."I would like to build a canoe for the people of Japan to be used like a floating class room and shared with the children" this was his dream. The path is already laid out as Tiger and I spent countless hours talking about Canoe Kamakura in his Shichirigahama House. I am now connected to his original canoe family and together we will build Ka Wa'a Kaulua o Kamakura.We the family of Tiger Espere and the canoe family of Kamakura thank you deeply for this historic journey to Japan and the inspiration that you have left in our hearts to continue what my brother has left for us to carry on, as we now prepare to join the canoe family of Makali'i, Hokula'e and others in Hawai'i. Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahalo Nui!

Bradda Lou

To benefit: All at PVS and the Hawaii-Japan "Crew Pool"... We are looking at starting the new school year in August and September to complete a series of "montage" of "HokuLe'a" crewmembers portrait art projects... We are "gearing-up" in our minds the "Way" we will also be able to finish a "People's" mural dedicated to the "One Ocean One People" Voyaging theme... We look foward when everyone can come to Molokai for our future proposed "Celebration of the WayFaring Lifestyle": especially Uchino Kanako-Sama and Araki Takuji-Sama we offer our warmest "Aloha" to come and enjoy, "God's Country" awaits your presence and participation with the "dynanic screaming fun" activities-OK... Ochino-sama, one student has the idea to put together a creative imagination "painting works" expressing an all Wahine crew aboard "Hawai'iloa" (mixed-crew Polynesin-Hawaiian-Micronesian) and the All girls/women crew "Full Compliment Wayfinders and Sailing-Women (mixed crew Japan-Amami-Okinawa) sailing the "HokuLe'a"- contact and "talk-story" with Capt. Hau'oli Suzette Smith with her "Dreams and Visions" in regard to this 'WIN-WIN' senario-OK. "I do" believe you or anyone else intrested in "transmitting and or receiving" with Capt. "Hau'oli" can contact her at:c/o Modern Sailing Academy (ac415 331-8250) or c/o(415 235-4950) Me Ke Aloha jais' Iruka Saito.

Here are some of my students thoughts as we watched the end of your voyage.

"You are very kind and bold to sail all the way over here.... It's almost the end of your voyage. It was sad to see you leave but you are almost there. I know you can make it. Have a nice summer! I wish you could come back next year."

"I feel blue because it's the end of the voyage. But you were brave. And responsible... And respectful to others....It was great seeing you. I hope you liked the goodies. I am proud because you made your goal. I bet you are happy because you reached your goal. I'm happy for you....You proved that it can be done and it was done! The Hokule'a is the best.... VERY GOOD!!"

"I think they are fearless because they sailed Hawaii to Japan."

"I feel very proud that the Hokule'a is almost to the end. They worked very hard."

Mahalo to all involved in PVS. A Big Mahalo to all the crew members that voyage and carry on Hawaiian tradition, your accomplishments and dreams are shared by many. You allow us all to voyage with you through the stories and pictures provided along the journey. Please continue the mission of peace and Aloha this is what keeps the world turning in the right direction.

Malama Pono ! Mauka to Makai !

Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono

Congratulations !!

I deeply understand "One Ocean,One People"

Thank you very much, with Aloha.