Aloha – Hello and Goodbye

Position 21°53.6’N 158°57.7’W | Course: 325° | Speed: 7.6kn

Aloha – a word that embodies both welcome and farewell in Hawaiian. But it’s more than that: when someone welcomes you with aloha, they invite you into the way of life of the islands. It stands for love, peace, respect and compassion — not just a greeting. And that’s exactly how it felt, entering Honolulu for the second time.

Although I’m not a big fan of large cities, there is something undeniably special about mooring alongside the Aloha Pier, just beneath the Aloha Tower. As we arrived, a traditional welcome ceremony of the Hawaiian Islands was being performed — not for us, but still, it felt fitting.

That evening, our small band of rugged sailors dispersed quickly. We had arrived one day later than expected, even though we had sailed this voyage to the absolute max. We shared a cold beer, the last photos, and then said our goodbyes. Hotel rooms with air-conditioning and showers with endless hot water were waiting.

The next day, our last musketeer (Bob) left, and our new group arrived. Sailing from Chile all the way to Hawaii, saying farewell to Bob was bittersweet — nearly 8000 miles together is no small thing. Something with Gary comes to mind… but that’s an inside joke.

We re-provisioned, we rested, we repaired, and then it was time to go. On the afternoon of July 3rd, we filled up with diesel and said aloha to the Aloha Tower. The blue water awaits. Mahalo for everything Norman and Crew!!

Right now, we are sailing between Oahu and Kaua’i, heading in a northwesterly direction, almost exactly along our course line to the Aleutian Islands. I’m really looking forward to this leg: 2000 miles of shifting weather systems and changing wildlife. Soon we’ll see the albatrosses again, our fulmar friends, and best of all — the tufted puffin! But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. These trade winds will carry us for a few hundred miles, but after that… we’ll be working for every mile.

All is well on board,

Jet