Hokulea sails on in Kyushu

Sunday, 20 May 07
Kujukushima 99 Islands, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu Island, Japan

This morning I looked up into the sky and all I saw was blue. I looked out to the sea and all I saw was blue. No wind, no waves; simply a perfect day. So I go down and unlash Hokulea from the dock, unfurl her sails and head out to sea. As I adjust the headsail to point as high as Hokulea will go into the light northwest wind I look into her cabin to see my 9 year old son Kai already getting into it hot and heavy playing one of his Play Station games. I turn the knob on the autopilot just a tad to head straight for my destination - Takashima Island 5 miles dead ahead - then adjust the main sheet one last time and sit back against the starboard rail for ballast and begin to write this log.

I just get comfortable when Kai pops his head out of the cabin to stretch a bit and check what’s going on topside. As he looks around I ask, “What’s up bra?” He says to me “Dad, you see those fishing boats, right?” then quickly heads back below. I go forward and look around the large genoa headsail and see an armada of over a dozen local Japanese fishing boats heading out of their harbor to sea. They must have seen the same things I did when they woke up. Good day to sail.

Hokulea is heading upwind on a close haul point of sail into a light and comfortable 5-10 knot breeze and she is heeling over 10-15 degrees as she slices through some mild waves that were generated by those fishing boats. They are still coming out of the harbor – up to twenty boats now and still counting.

I am happy to be sailing today, nice and cool weather, light winds, relaxing sounds Keali’I Reichel playing and of the ocean against Hokulea’s hull - sounds like an ipu being slapped. But something is different this time – I have this sad feeling that is also with me deep within my heart. For today, the real Hokule’a is leaving Kyushu for good. Who knows if she will ever return?

You see, my little sailboat is also named Hokulea after the Hawaiian sailing canoe Hokule’a that came all the way over here to Japan from Hawaii to spread so much Aloha to these people over here in Kyushu -including me. She will now head northeast to Honshu to make a few port calls and do the same thing there.
The weather condition is perfect for the trip today; tail winds and following seas. She should make good time to her destination.

I visited the canoe, captain and crew over in Nagasaki and once again in Fukuoka. My house is located between those two cities positioned midway along the coast where the westernmost point in the mainland Japan is also located. When I first talked to the crew I immediately felt this incredible pride and joy that they had in accomplishing their mission. I too had a joy and pride from being with my people – people also from Hawaii. I was born and raised in a town called Kalaheo on the northern island of Kauai. I may live other places but my home will always be there. And others from there understand.

You see, if you haven’t left home for any length of time you can’t truly understand the feeling that you get of longing to be back there once again. This visit by Hokule’a is the next best thing for me. Being around Kanaka Maoli and enjoying the greatness of their presence and spirit. The mana emitted from their canoe and each other is truly great and is felt by those around it. I feel refreshed, my soul’s batteries are full once again – recharged and I am whole again.

Thank you Hokule’a, captain and crew. Thanks for coming to Japan to see us and for all of the Aloha that you brought with you to share. Japan is truly a wonderful place to live and work. But only Hawaii is home. Hokule’a will sail on, sail forever in our minds and also in our hearts here in Kyushu.

Well not so for this Hokulea’s voyage; I’m nearing my destination – Takashima Island - and gotta go drop the sail and head into the harbor. WAIT A MINUTE – as I ready to ease the sheets and lower the sails I see a mast above the breakwater. A sailboat is exiting the harbor and raising her sails. As she nears I can make out the name on her starboard hull: Hokulea II and my best friend here in Sasebo, Aoi-San, is waving me on to sail together with him! The spirit of Hokule’a lives on in Japan - far from home. So I grab the tiller, turn a quick gybe and then ease the sail sheets out. We are sailing on a fast run back sailing side by side next to my sister ship. We are sailing our boats named in honor of Hokule’a here in Japan.

Sail on, Sail forever Hokule’a

Aloha no,
Mike Rivera
Captain Hokulea
Sasebo, Japan