Young Sailor Learns to Navigate Through Challenges

Experience of a lifetime for youngest Hokule`a crew member to ever sail a deep sea voyage

One night during a journey home from the Palmyra Atoll, crew members of the Hokule`a received a call that a terrible storm was headed straight for the Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe. The crew had two options: close the sails and wait out the storm or turn around and sail south, the opposite way from the storm and Hawaii.

The crew decided to close the sails and stop for the night.

"Honestly, I was really scared because we had no idea how bad the storm was or what it would be like," explained Kailin Kim, a Kaiser High School senior who is the youngest Hokule`a crew member to ever sail on a deep sea voyage. "But out there on the ocean, you have no choice but to face the bad weather that is coming your way. You have no say in what nature is going to do. There was no land for hundreds of miles away from us, and on the ocean, there is nowhere to go and hide.

"Luckily for us, the storm died down and blew away from us, but we still had to be prepared to deal with whatever challenges were thrown our way," she added.

Kim's biggest realization was how this nautical experience is parallel to real life events.

"When you have issues with people or bad things happen to you, you can't run away," stated Kim, who is a member of the Cougar water polo team and also this year's May Day Queen. "You just need to face it, and it will eventually pass."

In fact, the 17-year-old ended up enjoying all 13 days of her one-way, leg-home journey from Palmyra Atoll, which is known for its steep coral reef walls, extensive and shallow perimeter of coral reef shelves, reef pools, sand flats and protected lagoons.

"It was an experience of a lifetime," she noted. "I loved being surrounded by the ocean. For me, it felt like time had stopped, and there was nothing else out there except for us and the animals in the sea. Even with the rough weather, it was so peaceful to be away from the business of the islands and set my mind at ease.

"I really thought I would miss land after a few days, but surprisingly, I didn't at all. And I would have been really happy to stay on the canoe," continued Kim, who possesses both a cardiopulmonary resuscitation and lifeguard certification. "But it was nice to come home and see my family and friends."

Kim returned from the voyage, led by master navigator Bruce Blankenfeld, in early April, when Kaiser High School faculty couldn't wait to praise Kim's accomplishments.

"We, of course, are very proud to have (Kailin) chosen as one of the crew members," said John Sosa, Kaiser High School principal. "More importantly, it is a very real example of how our students position themselves to take advantage of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We are working hard as a school to implement the International Baccalaureate program, which has at its core the development of students as citizens of the world. Kailin is living proof that this can be accomplished.

"This experience will lead her in ways that are meaningful to her, and she has the opportunity to impact the world while pursuing her passion," he added.

Kim joined Kaiser High School's Ho`olokahi Voyaging Program in her freshman year, which led to her involvement with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. As her passion for sailing and navigation grew, Kim began making frequent visits to the Marine Education Training Center, home of the Hokule`a, where she had participated in dry-docks and many training sails.

Not only has Kim taken a Polynesian voyaging class at Kaiser, she has also studied in a navigation course at Honolulu Community College, earning college credits through the Running Start and Early Admit programs.

During the summer of her junior year, Kim worked at the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps Program.

"I was so thrilled to have Kailin chosen to be on the Hokule`a as she is really young," shared Nanette Umeda, post-secondary counselor at Kaiser High School. "Kailin is a natural leader who has learned to work with others, especially through working at the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps Program and the Hokule`a. I enjoy working with her and always get excited when I hear about what she is doing."

According to Umeda, Kim will most likely be selected as one of the valedictorians, who hold a 4.0 grade point average, for her graduating class. She has also won the Chancellor Scholarship to attend the University of Hawaii at Hilo in the fall; Kim says she plans to major in Hawaiian Studies as well as either Marine Science or Environmental Studies.

"Other students should look at opportunities, such as what Kailin is doing, to be more worldly and be more understanding of the world around us, especially dealing with environment and relationships with other cultures," Umeda said.

Launched on March 8, 1975 by the Polynesian Voyaging Society, the Hokule`a is best known for its 1976 voyage from Hawaii to Tahiti, which was completed using only Polynesian navigation techniques instead of modern navigational instruments.

"The canoe is amazing in that she has the power to bring together people from all over the world, and I am always stoked to meet all the interesting and incredible people that Hokule`a has touched throughout the years," Kim shared.

Pictured: Kailin Kim during her voyage on Hokule`a