Aloha,

I am an English Teacher in Okinawa, Japan and I have been involved with the Hokule’a Voyage to Micronesia and Japan with my students since the departure from Hawaii. When the Hokule’a crew found the island of Okinawa and sailed smoothly into port at 1:00am, the Okinawan community waited silently with open hearts and minds for the Hokule’a’s first ever arrival to Japan.
The Hokule’a resting quietly in the harbor for a few days instilled hope for a brighter future for everyone she touched. My students at Tomishiro Minami High School were fortunate enough to participate in learning about and experiencing the wonder and magic of the Hokule’a and the Uminchumaru Voyaging Canoes. Seeing a Polynesian and Okinawan sailing canoe proudly unite in deep respect and honor of each others cultures reminded us of our common heritage.
I feel so blessed to have been able to welcome the Hokule’a in Okinawa, Kumamoto, Hiroshima, and finally Yokohama. The Hokule’a allowed me to realize my own cultural heritage in Hiroshima. Takuji Araki, a fellow Japanese crew member who truly embodies the meaning of courage and spirit, encouraged me to find my ancestors in Hiroshima. In the setting sun, we took a train to the country side and found my family honke (house) still standing modestly in a mountain village surrounded by rice patties. We searched into the mountains for my family grave site with my aunty who we just met. As the moon and stars sparkled down upon us in the darkness, there we found my family symbol: 川手. At that moment, everything became so clear to me. Where I came from, who I am, and where I am going in life. Taku found his ancestors through his 9 year voyage with the Hokule’a, and he guided and inspired me to find mine.
The Hokule`a opened my eyes, allowed me to dream bigger than I ever imagined. I decided to come to Yokohama to continue living this dream, which has only just begun, to support Takuji in his dream to inspire Japanese children to reach for the stars, and to be with the Hokule`a and her family through her final destination, as she has taught me more in a few months than I have learned in my lifetime.

Mahalo Nui Loa to everyone connected by the Hokule`a and for inspiring me to keep paddling and dreaming.

Jenna