Māhina KuluMakani: Hikina/Lā Malanai. Light, 0-5 knots increased to 5-10 throughout the morning Nalu: 1 foot SE malanai wind swell. Anilā: He lā maikaʻi. Slightly cloudy, mostly clear.
First day ever with current Punahou students on Kamaola! Two of the very best ambassadors of waʻa aloha: Chloe Yoshiki '23 and Alex Picken '22. Winds are light so we forgo the METC tour and push to get the students on the water. Kia rigged on Thursday 11/18. We are getting better using the hoist to initiate the lift. Just need to pass the end aft of the pola. Friday, 11/19, I was able to finish the curved piece for the spar and yolk. Leather does not fit as well now so we will have to re-cut later. Boom yolk can now be pulled and secured to cleat on ʻōpeʻa. We rig up sail, boom and spar smoothly and are ready to go. Throughout the morning a small ʻanuenue floated near the land just above the large white fuel tanks looking Hoʻolua (NW).
We stayed on the inside feeling out the light wind and heavy rig, practicing steering and hoʻopūnini (tacking). Alex and Chloe quietly observe. Even in the light wind, Kamaola feels alive, invigorated by youthful energy. The wind lightened to the point of complete glass in the basin so we decided to venture out of the channel. We paddled for a minute then hooked up tow. When we unhooked between the head buoy and Honolulu harbor a light malanai (SE) wind started to increase giving us perfect sailing conditions over clear, emerald waters and gentle, rolling wind swell. We tacked in and out then were able to sail up the channel and paddle smoothly into the slipway without incident. Students got a chance to handle lines and steer. Need to remember to have all dock lines prepared before we get close. We were able to leave the rig up and paddle in smoothly. Malanai winds seem to be the best for sailing in and out of the channel. Even though it was only two students, it felt like a tremendous accomplishment for the future of Kamaola and ʻohana waʻa. History is happening. Keep sailing. E ola i Kamaola!
Crew: Kaniela L-M (captain), Dillyn L., Jason Patterson (1st mate), Don Isaccs (LG), Calvin Lac, Taryn Loveman, Chloe (student), Alex Picken (student)
Escort Boat: Keʻala Kimura, Dr. Michi Wong, Kylee Mar