Makaha, Oʻahu

Micah was only six years old when he first sailed on a waʻa kaulua - Hikianalia - during a community event. Since then he says he also “had the privilege to sail on smaller waʻa like Kūmau for different Na Kama Kai events, sharing waʻa kaulua knowledge with the Waiʻanae region of Oʻahu.” Micah is now the Ocean Clinic Coordinator for Na Kama Kai, founded by his father and Hōkūleʻa voyager Duane DeSoto.

Micah says seeing his father sail during the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage “inspired me to deepen my ocean knowledge.” Now being able to sail on a voyage himself, he says “it would physically and metaphorically expand my horizons, opening up my mind and life to new knowledge.” Micah says “Hōkūleʻa is, and always will be, a way for our people to reconnect with our kupuna, ʻaina, and kai. Sailing on waʻa like Hōkūleʻa allows our lāhui to continue to perpetuate our ʻike kuʻuna kupuna.” He says he looks forward to being challenged in news ways every day on the waʻa, and that voyaging deepens his connection to his “kupuna and the ocean, as well as learn more about myself along the way.”

Micah says he misses his ʻohana when out at sea, and when heʻs back on land, what he misses most about being at sea is “The smallness. When youʻre out on a waʻa, you realize just how big the ocean as well as our islands are. It brings you a sense of gratitude and humility and you see just how small (and big) your presence can be.”