Palmyra Reflections: Jenna Ishii

It has been two weeks since we stepped off of Hōkūle’a and onto the plane to come home. In all honesty, it is quite depressing to return to “real life” after experiencing such a life-altering journey. I am questioning everything now. What is “real life” and how do my daily actions affect my family, community, island and the greater universe in which we exist?

Everything on the canoe was so simple. Our crew became a family because we depended on each other to stay healthy, happy and alive. Even though we were confined to a small platform for nine days, it felt like we had all the space in the world. The ocean was our home and the sky was our guiding light. No computers, TV, cell phones, watches, electricity, running water, or refrigeration… just the pure necessities.

The one thing that I am realizing now is the importance and power of community. With one vision, we were able to set aside our differences and use our individual skills to come together to find our destination. It was really challenging to steer the canoe when the clouds were covering the sun, moon and stars, but with everyone working together, we kept a solid course. I am wondering how can we share these values with our youth so they may experience a life of peace, harmony and collective sustainability?

Now that I am home, I am faced with a big question: What does it mean to be a part of Hawai‘i’s community, and what I can do to help?  I think that we need to reach the spirits of young people who still believe that anything is possible.  We need to create a new momentum of young leaders who care enough about our island home and our world to speak out and do something about it… and we have to start right now.

We need all of the positive energy and collective support from everyone in Hawai‘i to make this vision come to life. We are all following the footsteps of our ancestors and those who have come before us who have kept Hōkūle‘a sailing. Now, it is our turn to inspire our communities to keep our islands thriving and our canoes moving toward a brighter future.

Thank you for believing in our vision and following Hōkūle‘a as she embarks on journey around the world. 

Mahalo nui,

Jenna