2007 Voyage Photos

Hakata Bay

Sunrise over Hakata Bay. Fukuoka, the capital of Fukuoka prefecture and the largest city on Kyushu (1.4 million people), is located on the bay, on the northern coast of the island. Fukuoka has a long history of trade with China, Korea, and other parts of Asia. During the 19th and early 20th century, immigrants from Fukuoka came to Hawai'i to work on the sugar plantations. In 2006, the State of Hawaii and Fukuoka Prefecture celebrated 25 years of "sister state" relations.

Fukuoka Tower, Fukuoka City

Fukuoka Tower, near Marinoa City, where Hokule'a will dock, is one of the symbols of the city.

Sky Dream Ferris Wheel, Fukuoka

"Sky Dream Fukuoka is a Ferris wheel in Fukuoka harbor, Japan. It is 112 meters (367 feet) in diameter and 120 meters in height and one of the largest ferris wheels in Asia. It is located near Evergreen Marinoa, an outlet mall by the harbor. The largest Ferris wheel in the world is the Star of Nanchang, in Nanchang, which is 162 metres (531 feet) tall." (wikipedia). The Ferris wheel is located at Marinoa City, where Hokule'a and Kama Hele are docked.

Genkai Island

Genkai Island (offshore island to the right), from Shikanoshima, at the mouth of Hakata Bay. The crews of Hokule'a and Kamahele plan to visit the small fishing community on the island.

Fukuoka: dockside

From Weblog at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/itokiko/6106556.html

Fukuoka: relaxing on Watch

From weblog at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/itokiko/6106556.html

Fukuoka welcome

courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Japan

Kanmon Strait and Bridge

Kanmon Strait separates Kyushu from Honshu, the largest island in the Japanese archipelago. To reach its next stops at Oshima and Hiroshima after leaving Fukuoka, Hokule'a will pass through Kanmon strait and enter the Seto Naikai, or Inland Sea. The Kanmon Bridge, 783 yards long, crosses the strait above the city of Shimonoseki, Honshu; car and rail tunnels go beneath the strait. The tidal flow through this narrow strait is strong, so small vessels time their entrances and exits to the tides.

Ships moving with the swift current in Kanmon Straight