2007 Voyage Photos

On the way to Uwajima, Hokule'a stopped again at Oshima

From weblog at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/sweetpotatoyoshi/11857454.html

Students at the Maritime Technology college helped clean the canoe

From weblog at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/sweetpotatoyoshi/11857454.html

Departing for Uwajima 1

From Weblog at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/sweetpotatoyoshi/11871808.html

Departing for Uwajima 2

From Weblog at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/sweetpotatoyoshi/11871808.html

Departing for Uwajima 3

From Weblog at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/sweetpotatoyoshi/11871808.html

Uwajima Coast

After leaving Hiroshima and an overnight stop in Oshima, Hokule’a and Kama Hele exit the Inland Sea through the Bungo Strait, between the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, and enter the Sea of Uwa (Uwakai) on its way to Uwajima (Uwa island), Ehime Prefecture, on the western coast of Shikoku, Japan’s fourth largest island. The journey is estimated at 73 nautical miles, less than a day by sea, with arrival on May 27 HST (May 28 JST). The western coast of Shikoku, like much of Japan’s coastline, is mountainous, with islands offshore. The port of Uwajima (pop. 65,000) is noted for fishing, particularly its catch of hamachi or yellow tail, and pearl cultivation. The area is a part of the Ashizuri - Uwakai National Park.

Uwajima City

Uwajima city is built in a small valley that leads down to the sea. Uwajima castle is on the hill to the right.

Sailing into Uwajima

... with good wind, sunshine and calm seas, Hokule'a and Kama Hele arrived in Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, at about 9:00pm Hawai’i time last night, about 4pm Japan time. They arrived after a 10 hour crossing from Oshima in the Inland Sea. Photo Left: Sailing into Uwajima. From weblog by naoki2805. Click on naoki2805 for a photo of the harbor.

In Uwajima Harbor

From weblog at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/naoki2805/7611303.html

Uwajima: Banner at Shin-Nai pier

After an arrival ceremony, the crew of 20 on Hokule’a and 5 on Kama Hele were treated to a welcome reception at the Uwajima City Hall and a dinner with about 400 people. Today, the crew is participating in a ceremony honoring the 9 victims of the Ehime Maru tragedy more than 6 years ago. Photo Right: Greetings at Uwajimas Shin-Nai Pier. Photo by Takashi Ichikura

Uwajima: A Giant Demon Bull Greets the Crew

At a ceremony today the crew will be giving flowers and gifting to each of the families who loss members in the Ehime Maru Incident a handmade 3-foot tall feather kahili created by Kaleinani Brown, along with a wooded stand for the kahili made by one of the builders of Hawai’iloa, a gifted wood worker who has worked on Hokule’a, Jerry Ongais. Photo Left: A giant demon-bull that wards off evil spirits greets the crew. Photo by Takashi Ichikura.

Uwajima Bull

The Bull is one of the symbols of Uwajima city. This statue is in front of Uwajima station. Bullfights are held in the city, a kind of bull sumo. Victory is achieved when one bull chases the other from the ring or forces the opponent to its knees.

Ehime Maru Memorial, Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, Honolulu

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
"Students from Saint Louis High School hosted Japanese exchange students from Uwajima Fisheries High School following the arrival of the new Ehime Maru, starting with a short ceremony at the Ehime Maru Memorial at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park yesterday. The original Ehime Maru sank after a surfacing sub collided with it off Diamond Head. To conclude the get-together, the students circled the memorial in honor of the students and staff who lost their lives. The Japanese students draped on the memorial origami cranes that they made."

From Vol. 11, Issue 298 - Wednesday, October 25, 2006 Honolulu Star-Bulletin

5TH Anniversary of Ehime Maru

In February 2001, Ehime Maru, the training ship of the Ehime Prefectural Uwajima Fishery High School, sank off Le'ahi, Honolulu, after being rammed by the USS Greeneville, a nuclear submarine which was performing a rapid ascent maneuver with two civilian guests at the controls. Nine crewmembers of Ehime Maru drowned, including four high-school students. Photo Left: "In 2006 Mayor Hirohisa Ishibashi of Uwajima, Japan, visited and prayed in front of the Ehime Maru Memorial at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, in Honolulu, with families and friends of the drowned." (From Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Vol. 11, Issue 41 - Friday, February 10, 2006.)

In March 2001, after a memorial and healing ceremony at Maunalua Bay, Hokule'a scattered lei over the site of the sinking when the families of the drowned visited the watery grave on boats. For more on this 2001 memorial service, see the Honolulu Advertiser's "Hawaiian ceremony honors Ehime Maru victims". Hokule'a is visiting Uwajima to reconnect with the families. In February of this year, the father of the one student never found, speaking publicly on behalf of the bereaved families, said that when Hokule’a sails to Uwajima, she will carry home the souls of their children.

In February 2002, a monument dedicated to those who died in the sinking was unveiled at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park in Honolulu. The Ehime Maru Memorial Assocation was incorporated to coordinate the establishment and maintenance of the memorial. In 2004, Uwajima became the 23rd Sister City of Honolulu; in 2005, Ehime Prefecture and Hawaii became sister states.

Uwajiima: kahili presentation to Ehime Maru families

At this ceremony today, the crew will be giving flowers and gifting to each of the victims’ families a handmade 3-foot tall feather kahili created by Kaleinani Brown, along with a wooded stand for the kahili made by one of the builders of Hawai’iloa, a gifted wood worker who has worked on Hokule’a, Jerry Ongais. Photo from weblog at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/megurukai244/32871485.html

Uwajima: Visitors to Hokule'a

Uwajima: Dennis Chun talking with visitor

Uwajima: Ka'iu and Sky talking with visitors

Canoe Tours: Kanako Uchino and Imaikalani Aiu

Canoe Tours: Taku Araki

Kyoko, Pomai, and Chadd

Stephanie Beeby talking with visitors

Canoe Tours: Anela Benson and Sam Monaghan

Canoe Tours: Chad and Pomai

Kyoko Ikeda leading a tour

Taku with students studying navigation on Hokule'a

Crew member Taku Araki held overnight star-navigation sessions with Japanese students at each stop. See “Big Dream Project” – The Legacy of 2007 Hokule’a Voyage Will Live on in the Hearts of Students and Teachers in Japan, Reported by Kyoko Ikeda. Photo by Monte Costa.

Uwajima Peace Bell

Nainoa holds a miniature of the Uwajima Peace Bell. The bell was presented to him for Hokule'a to carry with her on her journeys. Photo by Monte Costa.

Uwajima: the original Peace Bell at Taihei temple

Uwajima: mariner's shrine at Taihei temple

Uwajima: a shrine at Taihei temple to pray for the safety of mariners. A life preserver is attached to the side of the shrine.

Uwajima in a light rain

Uwajima gray skies

Hokule'a at Shinnai Pier, Uwajima

Ki'i with lei of paper cranes

Uwajima: Hokule'a carps

Carps flying the Hokule'a's forward mast. Carps are a symbol of strength, endurance and perseverance because of their ability to swim upstream against a current.

Uwajima: crew going over tow lines

Norman Pi'ianai'a, Tava Taupu, Na'alehu Anthony, Leighton Tseu, Chris Baird.

Kazu Nishimura

Kazuhiro Nishimura discusses weather with the Hokule'a crew for the passage from Uwajima to Yokohama. Nishimura-san is the president of Compass Course Ltd. and a representative of Japan at the America's Cup in 2000. His services are provided by NYK Lines in support of the voyage to Japan.