Capturing the Moment

Ancient Hawaiian Sailing Traditions     After decades of oppression during which many aspects of Hawaiian traditions and language were outright banned in the Hawaiian Islands, there came a light amongst the darkness. Aptly named the Hokule’a, after the bright star Arcturus, this traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe first set sail in 1975. It set out to prove that the first Hawaiians didn’t just drift here on the currents, and ending up igniting the pride of Hawaiians.   It has sailed the Polynesian triangle between Hawaii, Tahiti, and the Marqueses Islands several times. And has just returned to the Hawaiian islands after a record setting around-the-world sail during which it continued to share the Aloha spirit and reinvigorate Hawaiian pride. We were lucky enough to share a harbor with the Hokule’a at Molokai this week. I made sure one of our documentaries was about the Hokule’a so the guests knew the importance of the sailing canoe. We checked out Herb Ka...

Aboard the Safari Quest Safari Quest running the Malibu narrows Taking it all in from the top deck Cruising through the yachters paradise of British Columbia can be a addictive calling. Smooth waters, deep fjords, dense forest, and tumbling waterfalls await those willing to head out from the dock. You leave civilization behind and retrace the routes of ancient explorers like Juan de Fuca, Captain Cook, and Admirable Vancouver. The islands are crisscrossed with trails that can take you through old growth forest that was standing when those same explorers came through. The sunsets bathe the sky in a multitude of colors and wildlife abounds, even for the untrained eye. Follow this link to check out another post about this area called Into the Mist .    The area does not come without its dangers. The weather can turn in a matter of minutes, so keeping a rain jacket handy is never a bad idea. It is easy to want to walk quietly by yourself in the woods but yo...

We just completed our first week of the season sailing the Safari Quest through British Columbia and the San Juan islands. We will run this itinerary during the shoulder seasons before and after our Alaska summer.  I had not spent much time in British Columbia so I was anxious to get out and see it from the water. I had sped through the channels before on our way to Alaska in previous seasons but was never allowed to stop. The Quest is a SOLAS boat which allows us to take her internationally into Canada waters. This does mean a few stops during the week are planned for customs and such but they work pretty seamlessly into a very fun itinerary.   The first stop in Canadian waters is Victoria, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Its a beautiful first view of British Columbia and everyone enjoys a bit of High Tea at the Empress Hotel. But then in typical UnCruise fashion we head off into the wilderness. We run the rapids at Skookumchuk and continue on to the crown ...

        The blog has been quiet this last week because I have been out at sea sailing around the islands of Oahu, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Koho'olawe, and Maui aboard the tallship Makani Olu. The Makani Olu (Gracious Wind) is owned and operated by Marimed Foundation , a non-profit organization involved with sail training since 1988. The 96-foot, three-masted staysail schooner, retrofitted for sail training in Hawaiian waters, is the central component of a model experiential education and treatment program for at-risk adolescents built around ocean voyaging.        The Makani Olu is a 96', three masted schooner. Different groups ranging from elder hostel to private parties can set sail aboard the Makani Olu. This trip was a bit different. Marimed runs a house for troubled boys and occasionally brings them out aboard the Makani Olu as a character and team building endeavor. These boys, 14 through 17, face difficult emotional and educational c...

Exploring the Coastline of Kauai     My C watch had the first shift as we left the mooring at Lehua Rock for the big channel crossing over to Kauai. The winds were way down, but enough to fill our sails, but the waves were still high and coming from two different directions. We headed straight into the east swell but every time a north swell came through the boat lurched over. The north swells were hitting us right on our beam which created pretty rocky conditions. I actually had one wave hit the side of the boat and splash up into the wheelhouse where I was, until then, perfectly dry. After being relieved by Emma and her A watch I went down below to get some sleep, knowing I would be back on deck at 6am. The rocking was pretty intense down below in my bunk but I finally drifted off, wondering what sights I would wake to in the morning. Cliffs and Watefalls on the Na Pali Coast Sun and Mist: Na Pali Coast   When I came on deck I found that we were hove t...

Sailing to the "Forbidden Island" of Ni'ihau on the SSV Makani Olu Coming into the Forbidden Isle, Ni'ihau   The adventure gets real as we leave the protection of Haleiwa and set sail across the Kauai Channel towards Ka'ula Rock. I was pretty excited for a couple of reasons. This would be the first time I would be in charge of my own watch and the whole tall ship while on deck, the winds and waves were supposed to be strong and big but at our backs, and I had never even heard of our destination.    Ka'ula rock is located 23 miles (37 km) west-southwest of Kawaihoa Point on Ni ʻ ihau, and about 150 nautical miles (280 km) west of Honolulu. The island is actually the very top of a volcanic tuff cone that rests on top of a larger, submerged shield volcano. At its highest point, the island reaches a height of 548 feet (167 m). The ocean has carved large sea cliffs on the sides of the island. There is a large cave on the northwest side of the island ...