Aloha mai kākou,
Guest author Hana here! Writing to you in the anticipation of the Nāhōkūoʻokelewaʻa crews nearing arrival to the Hawaiian islands.
For any readers who may not know me, Im Keiliʻs younger sister, cheerleader, and biggest admirer. Iʻve been in contact with Keili through her satellite phone and she’s asked me to write to you all today with some updates.
Like many of you Iʻve been on my toes waiting patiently for the safe return of our favorite young voyagers. As of today, calculations have the Nāhōkūoʻokelewaʻa landing in about 5 days. Of course it all depends on the winds so our estimations are subject to change. Thanks to their tracking devices I have been able to check in on their whereabouts day and night. Watching the crews journey across the Pacific Ocean with hawk eyes, worried brows and a proud heart.
I think many friends and family members share my sentiments of mixed emotions. These last few weeks I’ve felt torn between concern for this little speck carrying precious cargo across the largest deepest ocean on earth, and unmeasurable excitement and pride for the hard working crew with the kahunas and skills to take on this incredible adventure. When I ping pong between these emotions and the unknowing I have to remind myself I have absolute faith in our voyagers and Aʻa.
All that being said I am here to give updates, and thanks to Keiliʻs satellite phone I have the exclusive insider on Aʻa out at sea. Texts have their limits of course but from the past eighteen days I’ve gotten a murky picture through snippets of what’s transpired. So far theirs been many cloudy wet days with only a handful of sunny dry ones. They have split up the clock to schedule sleeping, solo steering, and an overlap of all three working together. Keili has the night shift 2am - 6am steering the boat through the night. Sheʻs been filling her time reading on her kindle about the stars and greek mythology. Around week two, when I asked if she’s marveled the stars she told me the clouds have restricted the view so far, but the bioluminescence was booming! Theres been 20 foots swells, squalls, dolphin escorts, ring around the takiʻs bag, a dead and then revived battery charger, a mahi mahi catch on the hand reel and guaranteed so so much more, but Ill let the crew tell you their own stories themselves. Just know they are safe and we are always watching making sure they remain so.
Ive asked some other family member to contribute their sentiments to this sub-stack. So without ado -
Messages from Brian Mcevilly
My fear shifted to pure excitement as I saw Keili, Chris and Kalani frantically attacking their last minute to do list. As a parent, it’s always a challenge to walk the line between the dreams that your children have and the dreams that you have for your children. Final preparations were underway and to my surprise I was overcome by relief that the uncertainty of the voyage was over and IT WAS HAPPENING! In addition I was feeling grateful that my daughter had the amazing courage, fortitude, and strength to embark on a journey from San Diego to Hawaii with only a little open-ocean sailing experience under her belt. No question it has been a challenging year for our family and friends mourning the loss of Keili‘s wonderful wonderful mother and the love of my life, ILLA. During our journey of grief, we came to understand that we would never wish to forget all the wonderful times we had, but that to move forward we did need to find ways to create new memories, positive memories to help ease the pain of these past two years and shape a brighter future. So the worries of the father melted away as my brave daughter and her beloved friends set out on journey of a lifetime that will no doubt, generate memories and lessons to last a lifetime.
Messages from Sara Day
Aloha! KK’s Aunty Sara here! Our beloved niece is such an adventurer, a tiny dot in a vast ocean on her little A’a. I did protest to such a risky voyage and I must admit I’m relieved she is getting closer to home. I spend a great deal of time imagining them and what they might be doing. It just seems so tough for our sweet little KK out there on the seas but she welcomes it with such grace. Keep the A’a in your prayers until they are on solid ground everybody!! I admire and adore her and can’t wait to hear the tales!
These kind reflections and so much more love and words of affirmations being sent their way daily. I myself am apart of THREE group chats dedicated to updates on the vessels location, surrounding conditions, our sailors moods and prayer requests. There isn’t a crew more beloved than Aʻaʻs. Uncle Curtis sent me a text that I think speaks for many of us -
“I know I am living vicariously through their transpacific crossing by every degree of latitude and longitude change.”
Proud of their bravery to persue this magical adventure. Can’t wait for their return with stories and hugs a plenty!
Mahalo nui loa!!
^Nāhōkūoʻokelewaʻa crew on the day of departure^