Overnight Training Sail with Captain Ka‘au McKenney

WWV Crew Reflections: By Tina Daehler-Masifilo March 6, 2010

I have come to realize that as I write my name on a Worldwide Voyage Training sail sign-up sheet, I feel a sense of excitement, wonder, anticipation and an honest pause to reconsider.

Now, five months into this Polynesian Voyaging Society WWV Training Program (and overlapping with enrollment in a second Hoʻokele Course through Honolulu Community College with Ka‘iulani Murphy) I am approaching ten sailing experiences of various lengths and conditions. Each is unique. Contributing factors, such as weather, crew members, weather, food, Head Captain, weather, time of day and night, and did I mention weather?, bring to each sail a new mix of dynamics causing one to either appreciate or just try to navigate through as quickly as possible.

I recall an evening sail last month that was reminiscent of a romantic sunset dinner cruise – golden sunset, glassy gentle ocean swells, whale to the left, dolphins to the right (I mean port and starboard), wind just enough to inflate the sails, crew maneuvering the sails and sweep to keep our motion right on the intended course. Those types of sails are pleasant, allowing for unchaotic review and more learning. Jibing, tacking, halyards, uni, sweep, manu, flaking, palewai, etc. The calm pace also accomodates for talk-story sessions among crew; the novice attentive and curious about the descriptive lessons told by the experienced crew while the experienced crew seem refreshed by the novices' attentive curious listening. So these are the types of sails that provide for idyllic, "one-with-nature" types of memories. Balanced.

Then there are other types of sails that do not coordinate these same dynamics... such as last night's sail where weather seemed to have the upper hand. I would guess that I will forget about it pretty soon as the mind tends to do, process and filter among the-good-the-bad-the-ugly.

After some discussion over the radios, Hōkūle‘a captain Bob Perkins and Ikaika escort boat captain Ryan agreed to head home – cutting short our intended 12-hour overnight sail to an edited six-hour half-night sail. Apparently some of both vessels' crews were touched by that dreaded seasickness curse (myself not excluded). Mahalo to my three crewmates, Ryan, Paul and Ka‘ohi for your support!! It seems that another human mind trait is programmed to find comfort in knowing others are "in the same boat." Misery loves company I guess, but it was especially comforting to learn that some of the sick Hōkū crew were seasoned sailors. (Sorry!!!) Or it could be that us chosen ones were just destined for this Bob and Ryan six-hour intensive weight-loss program – who knows. I didn't recall signing up for that.

But after returning, when being told that we were in "ten foot waves and 30 knot winds," my mind could shift a little from discouragement to acceptance. Mother Nature does have an upper hand. So while weather seems to be the most elusive factor in each sail, I am also very aware of a constant. As we stand before and after each sail holding hands in a human circle to pule, the ‘ohana and comraderie only strengthens – this is the constant. We, of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances bring ourselves to this METC classroom each week and various training sails for more lessons, more knowledge and more ‘ohana. "‘Imi 'ike," Bruce Blankenfeld reminds us. ‘Imi ‘ike (seek knowledge and understanding)

Lokomaika‘i, generosity and graciousness - another PVS value that circulates effortlessly (Bruce may say more so on the wa‘a than in the sometimes too quiet classroom!). Mālama, caring for and protecting one another. Aloha, our love and compassion for on another. Ola kino maika‘i, caring for our bodies. Na‘aupono, relying upon that which you know is true within yourself. For those of Hawaiian heritage, a pride is nourished. All in this community and ‘ohana are offered the opportunity to respect  and live these values.

Mahalo METC. Mahalo PVS. Mahalo Hōkūle‘a. Mahalo for this place to gather and explore.

As I glanced at my 17-year-old Ikaika crewmate last night, my mind drifted back to a long lost version of myself at that age when I was first introduced to the idea of the Hōkūle‘a, also in her formative years way back then. How fortunate for the "younger generation" to be afforded this opportunity and for the older generation to join in as able. Hōkūle‘a is still going strong – maybe stronger than ever. This training and opportunity to exchange knowledge and aloha is ensuring that the beloved Hōkūle‘a continues to be in qualified hands, able hands of young and old, learning and learned. I would guess that as she sails throughout each leg of the WWV, touching new horizons and shores and people, her message of aloha, ‘ohana and community – that constant – could spread and strengthen even more. Imagine a world open to this possibility. Imagine a world that shares these values.

So, not as much as ten minutes into my drive home from that miserable gut-emptying Saturday night sail, my mind started to wander. That sense of wonder, excitement and anticipation started to creep in. I wonder what Wednesday night's evening sail will be like?