July 17, 2007: The motor-sailboat Kama Hele, which escorted Hokule'a and Alingano Maisu to Micronesia and Japan under Captain Mike Taylor, arrived home yesterday afternoon after sailing/motoring 4,000 miles from Japan to Hawai'i in 23 days. Captain Mike Weindl and six Japanese crewmembers left Yokohama on June 23rd and encountered some rough weather the first few days, but crewmembers and Kama Hele are all in fine shape. Kama Hele is at her old slip at Honolulu Community College's Marine Education Training Center (METC) on Sand Island. We are very grateful to the captain and crew for taking on this task of bringing Kama Hele home safely.

Well done "True and Faithful Servants"- Returning the Kamahele from Japan to Hawaii was no small task for Capt Mike Weindl and an all-new crew of Japanese sailors who had never sailed on this vessel before.

This transit brought closure to the full circle of over 12,000 miles that Kamahele sailed in support of Hokulea and crew during the nearly six months of voyaging since leaving Sand Island on Jan 12 .

The role of the Escort Vessel is generally one of "Traveling Companion" to the Hokulea and Alingano Maisu during their months at sea and it provided a critical resource in the event of any safety concern that might arise on the open ocean.

I was fortunate enough to be one of the Kamahele's crew for several legs of the voyage and shared in the incredible outpouring of Aloha that greeted the fleet in every port.This experience was a "Life Defining " experience for me and I'm sure I speak for all those who sailed on these vessels.

Like the Voyaging canoe, a trained, cohesive and caring crew with sound leadership is essential for the success of the mission and aboard Kamahele we had a great crew and an outstanding Captain and Leader.

For Captain Mike Taylor this was his first experience of sailing the open ocean for an extended period of time and in a vessel that had just undergone a complete refit days before departure. With a green crew,a boat-load of new equipment that had not been tested ( including a new engine) Cap'n Mike and crew set out from Sand Island.
Mike's dedication and tireless efforts in preparing Kama Hele for this voyage and his leadership on board won the admiration of all those who sailed with him and produced a close bond between the Kamahele crew and those of the canoes.Mike Taylor mastered the many disciplines necessary as Skipper and was an important resource both to his crew and also to those in his charge aboard the canoes.

I was sad to see the voyage end and prefer to think of it as being "On-PAUSE" while we await the next chapter in this incredible voyaging legacy.If another opportunity arise for me to be part of the Escort crew and Cap'n Mike is on board, I'm Good To Go !!

Congratulations to both "Captain Mikes" on a job well done.

Irish Mike

I agree with Mr. Cunningham. Kama Hele won the great respect from Japanese along with the voyage. One Japanese crewmember said to me at Yokohama that returning the boat safely to Hawai'i is the obligation for us. They have done a great job. I am proud of them as a Japanese.

!Yes, Absolutely "good-n-faithfull-servants"/"Job Well Done!" Amene & amen!.! Indeed we quite agree with "Sir Irish" Mike that the "On-PAUSE" Mode-of-Operation is the status of the "Voyaging Ohana" and the many connecting families of "Wayfinders" and "Seafarers"... "Continue-On"/"Sail-On"- One Ocean One Peoples One Heart One Mind One Ohana/ Joyfully Sailing. It is trully awesome how the many, many senarios of "role-modeling" that came from the experiences and testimony, while also witnessing of the "Voyagers" focused upon/within/thru sharing and caring for all concern; True "Life-Defining" moments... Yes, trully indeed the "lokahi" of na Ohana has most graciouslly represented the "True" essences of the "Aloha Spirit", especially the "Dol-Fun" skin majestic "closuer" of the "Enime Maru Ohana" experience and "breath-giving"/ "heart-felt" testimony and witness! To us as fellow "BeachBoys" and "Sailing-Man" this was the "true" reason that "Hokule'a, Kama Hele", and full compliment of "Crew" and "crewpools" were sailing and sharing your most kindest and caring "aloha" in the Japan islands- !Yes, Trully indeed "Spot-on-target" Ganbarre Nei... "Sir Mike Cunningham"- yes I will agree with you and others with this/that "un-conditional heart"- that Master Watersafety Officer and Champion Bodysurfer "Mark" will ask you for your "mesmering" stories of "Aloha" that goes hand-n-hand with all of your folks "Maisu-Hokule'a" Life-time experiences... Oh! once again, Kato-Sama please bring us up to speed with Master Navigator/Sailing Master/Captain/Trustee/husband ect. Nainoa Thompson's "Dream Movie" and the future of (his pet-project) the Flotilla of 100'-plus "Pure-Hi-Tech"/ High-Performance, Sailing Oceanic Labrotory, We are sure that the "Ohana" of all the "One Ocean One People" would like to be invitied to this future "Ho'oMana'o"- "Think-Tank"... Ok, "Continue, keep your course and "Rhumbline" true and "Sail-On" One Heart/ One Mind/ One Ohana... imua ka kou "Good, Very Good!" Me Ke Aloha Pumehana shin'ichi "iruka" saito (aka) JMC.