Journal of Wallace Wong: Rarotonga to Hawai'i

(December 1-6, 1992)

Dec. 01--It feels great to be back on land. It feels great to be back with Malia, Keau, my mom and the Nobrigas and friends. It feels good to be back in Hawai'i. We spent the later part of the day at Honaunau where we were fed lunch by the hale Ho' oponopono students. After lunch we took some students for a short sail. It felt good to be able to transfer what I learned and my experience to eager ears. That night we had an 'awa ceremony at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau. It consisted of drinking the 'awa follo wed by na olelo of the sail master, navigators, captains and other leaders. I was mostly impressed by Billy Richards speech as well as Carlos Andrade who spoke in Hawaiian. One of my goals is to speak in Hawaiian. We later had dinner at the rainbow ranch.

Dec. 02--Spent the day at Honaunau scraping barnacles and moss off of the canoe. I took Wally, Ku'u and her boys on to the canoe and showed them around and we were later met by Malia. They were all a big help in cleaning the junk off of the bottom of the canoe. Later, students from a school in Pahoa came aboard and snake and Gary took them around. After everything was done, Bruce and the gang paddled the canoe around and I raised the flag and blew the conch shell. I was glad that Wally and Ku'u cam e aboard. Too bad we couldn't sail.. Everyone that I talk to and everything that I read is so positive about the Hokule'a that it really makes me excited that I'm a part of this whole experience. I would like it to last and I would like to help other peop le who really want this experience.

Dec. 03--Went running with Edwin in the morning. We caught one 80 pound boar but the dogs got to it before we did. We also found a maile vine and Ed made me a lei for my trip. There is no way that I could ever repay them for their kind generosity a nd hospitality. I will forever be in their debt.

We rushed down to Honaunau for departure. It took awhile because there was one boat transferring people. We towed from Honaunau to the Alenuihaha channel where we raised our sail and sailed to Kaunakakai, Moloka'i. The ride was wet and wild and I slept on deck and watched the stars. It is such and awesome feeling to be a part of this voyage.

Dec. 04--We pulled into Kaunakakai harbor to a pier full of eagerly waiting students. They all came aboard one group at a time for the whole day and we showed them around. It was a warm feeling to see such enthusiasm and excitement. I met Mahealani and went to her house for a warm shower before dinner. She gave me her address for mom to come visit her. We later had dinner at the hale wa'a (canoe shed). We were joined by Shepard, Lacey and Steve who are shuttle astronauts. We also took aboard Bill, Clay, Gordon, Harry, Chad, Tava and Mau for our final leg back to Kualoa. While leaving Moloka'i, the people sang us farewell songs.

Dec. 05--Woke up to the lights of Waimanalo, Kailua and Kane'ohe. What a beautiful sight. The Makapu'u light house, the Pali Highway and the airport beacon of the marine base. My watch was short and sweet. We sailed past Mokapu and stopped. It was only 6:30 am and we weren't due into Kualoa until 9:00 am. This was the hardest part of the trip. Sitting outside from shore in a rocking canoe. I didn't feel to well so I just put my head down to rest. Soon Nainoa said it was time. Everyone rushed around cleaning the deck and themselves. We began raising the sails and taking our positions. I was on the main sail with Clay, Billy and Harry. The astronauts were on the sweeps, Nainoa guided us into Kualoa with cool precise commands as swells and boats and h elicopters followed and cheered us in. I remember Nainoa on the deck in the 1987 return giving those same commands as Hokule'a guided safely into Kualoa after its rediscovery voyage. The beach was lined with well wishers as we triced up the sails. A sudde n gust of wind pushed us in as if Hokule'a wanted to kiss the shore as much as we did. Crew members from the shore rushed to greet Hokule'a and steady her embrace with the shore. We were led to a roped off area where we went through a traditional ceremony to lift the kapu as well as announce our arrival. We were then led off to the stage area where we were able to embrace our family and friends. It was also the beginning of the festivities. It consisted of songs and dances of the school children as well a s local groups. Kawailiula performed their Kaho'olawe chant and dedicated it to me. It was beautiful. It was good to see everyone especially my family, Malia and Keau. It was a beautiful day. The little drizzle didn't bother anyone a bit and we all enjoye d everyone's company. I will miss my crew-members and I'll never forget them in fact I'm going to keep in touch with them and I hope to sail with them soon.

Dec. 06--It's hard to imagine that I sailed all that way. It seems like yesterday that we left Tahiti and those storms and hot days that we endured is now just a memory. I enjoyed this experience on the ocean, sailing the Hokule'a with a sky covere d with stars. I will never forget it and look forward to the next voyage. I am happy to be home and glad that the Hokule'a is safe and at home . I will miss those twelve courageous crew-members that I spent over a month with. From Rarotonga to Tahiti to H onaunau, Moloka'i and on to Kualoa I got to know and respect each and everyone of them and I'll never forget them. Since the beginning of Hokule'a in 1976 I've always wanted to be a part of it and I finally was able to experience the feeling of what our a ncestors experienced. The adventure and agony of sailing as well as the happiness of sighting Hawai'i after such a long voyage from the south Pacific . The camaraderie of the crew, your friends; your family at sea; people you look to for strength and cour age and help when in need.

I am looking forward to sharing my experience with everyone as well as keeping that experience and using it in everyday life. I feel a part of something great and I don't ever want that chain to break. Its my duty to keep it going and keep it strong.