2007 Voyage Photos > Oshima (12) > Oshima National College of Maritime Technology
From Iwaishima, Hokule'a continued on to Oshima, Yamaguchi Prefecture, 17 miles to the east of Iwaishima, where the crew was welcomed first at Oshima National College of Maritime Technology by "a band playing and a presentation of flowers by children to the crew" and taiko drums; then at Mukuno Fishing Harbor, Suo-Oshima town, by a crowd of 3000 people with hula dancers and taiko drummers. Photo Left: Oshima National College of Maritime Technology. One of its educational objectives is "to train well-educated engineers with an international way of thinking."
Captain Kalepa "asked Nainoa to douse the flame we had been given at Iwai-jima island to symbolize an end to warfare, because of Nainoa’s personal connection to this place through Yoshi Kawano, the milkman [from Niu Valley] who looked after Nainoa when he was young, and who first taught him about fishing and the ways of the sea. As the crews huddled around, a small candle was lit from the lantern flame (which in turn had been lit from a flame that has been kept burning since the Hiroshima bombing). “It’s such an honor that our canoe has been asked to carry this symbol of peace,” Nainoa said as he held the candle. “And to all who have brought the canoe to this moment in time, I am eternally grateful to be here with you.” As he poured seawater from a coconut shell onto the flame to put it out, he said: No more, no more hatred in this world. Let’s just drown it.” (See Ferrar, 5/20 below.)
Photo from http://www.oshima-k.ac.jp/en/hist.htm

