Lalayak Program graduates six

09/29/2025 – The high spirits of the Lalayak Program students aboard the canoe Neni made up for the lack of wind on Saturday morning, ultimately carrying the vessel and students through their exit test: sailing unassisted from Garapan’s Crowne Plaza beach to the Guma Sakman in Susupe.

The excursion capped weeks of training under 500 Sails and Northern Marianas College’s Community Development Institute, which partnered to provide the program aimed at preserving traditional canoe knowledge and practice, passing it on to new generations.

Since its launch on June 21, participants studied the history of sailing in the Marianas and engaged in hands-on learning, including knots, capsizing drills, and maneuvering skills. Each logged at least 10 practice sails before being certified to sail independently.

Although the lack of wind, and opposing currents heavily delayed Saturday’s graduation voyage, the group pushed through and arrived safely at their graduation ceremony, where staff celebrated six graduates: Chaime Tudela, Kathleen “Keiko” Yamagata, CNMI Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho, Andrea Roberto, Torohn Manglona, and Nicole Somol. Three more individuals in the cohort have yet to complete their course but are well on their way toward fulfilling the remaining requirements.

500 Sails program manager Andrea Carr shared that watching the students put into practice what they had learned and sail on their own for the first time was beautiful to see. “On graduation day, they get to sail all on their own without people like me around telling them what to do,” she said. “It’s really encouraging and empowering for them.” She added, “I'm very excited and proud of them...I do believe they will inspire others too.”

Graduates each received a certificate and the Lalayak long-sleeve shirt — an item not for sale, but earned only by completing the program. Upon graduation, participants also receive the ability to sail the canoes on their own.

When asked about her experience, cohort graduate Keiko Yamagata shared, “We're thankful to 500 Sails, the community, NMC-CDI for providing this opportunity for all of us. It feels really good, but I look forward to more challenges and just learning more about sailing, and working together as a group to, you know, go from point A to point B.” she shared that she hopes others will join the program as well.

“I feel good.” said CNMI Superior Court Judge Joseph Camacho “I want to thank the organizers of 500 Sails, especially the captains and the crew, the organizers of the various classes, and express appreciation to our classmates. We did it together. We built a lot of camaraderie. We learned a lot of different sailing techniques,” 

Camacho called the program “history put into practice.” He shared “Knowing where we come from sets the path of where we’re going. The canoe is more than just for fishing — it was central to the lives of ancient Chamorros and ancient Carolinians. Taking this class has given me a much deeper appreciation.”

NMC-CDI program manager Geraldine Sasamoto shared that this was the second cohort completed in partnership with 500 Sails. “We’re excited to see the interest in the program grow,” she said. “It’s a way of revitalizing our local culture, and it just makes sense for NMC, whose logo is the proa, to be part of this effort.”

500 Sails plans to launch its next Lalayak cohort in October, continuing its mission to keep Chamorro and Carolinian seafaring traditions alive — one canoe at a time.

Report by Chrystal Marino