Aloha ahiahi,

FYI on the phone conference. The kids were so excited!! They came in at the beginning of the day saying 'today we are going to talk to the Hokule'a'. We rehearsed our questions and practiced taking turns speaking into the phone as this was their first experience with such a machine. We had them sit around the phone, student with question was to get up and speak into the phone...etc...

Well, let me tell you when that phone rang - forget it. They all ran to the phone and just stared at it waiting to hear Kaiulani. We also practiced saying "aloha kakahiaka Hokule'a" - a lot. Taku was great. He is really building a bond with the children. He can certainly relate to them and they to him.

It was so much fun and a great learning experience for the class. To think we are able to talk to a canoe in the middle of the ocean, miles and miles away. I would do it again in an instant and would recommend it to all teachers.

I am praying for good wind so they can at least move an inch or two. Let me tell you here in Okinawa the weather has been up and down - sunny, hot, cold, windy. Today it's been very windy, tons of rain yet cool. We should send some wind down to the canoe.

Mahalo again for the opportunity to get the kids involved with the Hokule'a. We are now planning a field trip to the canoe. My principal has promised we will find the funds to make this happen for the kids!! Of course, he wants to tag along also.

Malama pono.

Much aloha,
Gwen