Hometown
Waimānalo, Oʻahu
Voyage(s)
Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 12 | Hikianalia: Hilo to Papeete
Bio
Jayton was a first responder back in 2007, when he first sailed on a waʻa kaulua - Hōkūleʻa. He had his two daughters with him as they sailed in Māmala Bay.
“Hōkūle’a is both a symbol and the embodiment for the perpetuation of our Polynesian culture,” Jayton says. “She connects current and future generations to our ancestral past and how they may have lived through their journeys across the ocean. I’ve been able to witness how Hōkūle’a inspires people to come together, and serve as a source of quiet, humble strength. She has provided me a path to better connect and understand my place as a Hawaiian. These inspirations have reflected in all areas of my life and personal relationships, but most importantly with nature, as this allows me a new means to connect with the ocean.”
Jayton is now retired, but he is mission driven and the waʻa and Moananuiākea Voyage help feed that drive. On the voyage he says he looks forward to “simply learning how to become a better human being and to pass on the lessons I learned through voyaging to my family.” He adds that “This voyage is a great opportunity for growth by gaining a better understanding of our place on planet Earth, and developing relationships with other Pacific island nations. With that I want to help inspire others to grow within their own culture. There are many similarities and so much to learn from one another. I cannot think of a more worthwhile endeavor than the continued mission of PVS to raise awareness of global environmental and climate issues. I also hope to learn and gain a greater understanding of our ancestors’ perspectives and develop some of the skills that allowed them to thrive on the ocean. They were far more connected with their surroundings than most people are today, and voyaging is one way to restore some of that connection.”
When Jayton is sailing, there are two things he misses most about home: “Being with my family. And Rocky Road ice cream.” And when he is back on land, “I miss the sunrises, sunsets and the overall peacefulness, along with being a part of the ocean.”
“Hōkūle’a is both a symbol and the embodiment for the perpetuation of our Polynesian culture,” Jayton says. “She connects current and future generations to our ancestral past and how they may have lived through their journeys across the ocean. I’ve been able to witness how Hōkūle’a inspires people to come together, and serve as a source of quiet, humble strength. She has provided me a path to better connect and understand my place as a Hawaiian. These inspirations have reflected in all areas of my life and personal relationships, but most importantly with nature, as this allows me a new means to connect with the ocean.”
Jayton is now retired, but he is mission driven and the waʻa and Moananuiākea Voyage help feed that drive. On the voyage he says he looks forward to “simply learning how to become a better human being and to pass on the lessons I learned through voyaging to my family.” He adds that “This voyage is a great opportunity for growth by gaining a better understanding of our place on planet Earth, and developing relationships with other Pacific island nations. With that I want to help inspire others to grow within their own culture. There are many similarities and so much to learn from one another. I cannot think of a more worthwhile endeavor than the continued mission of PVS to raise awareness of global environmental and climate issues. I also hope to learn and gain a greater understanding of our ancestors’ perspectives and develop some of the skills that allowed them to thrive on the ocean. They were far more connected with their surroundings than most people are today, and voyaging is one way to restore some of that connection.”
When Jayton is sailing, there are two things he misses most about home: “Being with my family. And Rocky Road ice cream.” And when he is back on land, “I miss the sunrises, sunsets and the overall peacefulness, along with being a part of the ocean.”