Hometown
Tsawwassen, BC, Canada
Voyage(s)
Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 6: Vancouver to Seattle
Bio
Although from British Columbia, where he still lives and has now retired as a Captain in the Vancouver Fire Department, Tom is a veteran sailor on a waʻa kaulua. He first sailed on Hōkūleʻa within Hawaiʻi in 1990, then in 1995 he voyaged on Hawaiʻi Loa from Vancouver, B.C. to Alaska. He has since sailed several times on Hōkūleʻa in Hawaiʻi and to Papahānaumokuākea.
Sailing on Hōkūleʻa “means to be a part of something bigger than myself, a worthwhile movement, philosophy and a way of life,” Tom says. And he looks forward to sharing that through open conversations “with the peoples we visit and communicate with,” in addition to discussions about the problems our oceans face, “while searching for answers.” This is also why Tom looks forward to Moananuiākea as voyaging “always grounds me, makes me feel I am contributing to something greater, not just taking from life, but giving back,” he says.
While out at sea, Tom most misses “a soft bed and a nice washroom.” What he misses about voyaging while back in his everyday life is the camaraderie built on having “a common goal amongst the voyagers.”
Sailing on Hōkūleʻa “means to be a part of something bigger than myself, a worthwhile movement, philosophy and a way of life,” Tom says. And he looks forward to sharing that through open conversations “with the peoples we visit and communicate with,” in addition to discussions about the problems our oceans face, “while searching for answers.” This is also why Tom looks forward to Moananuiākea as voyaging “always grounds me, makes me feel I am contributing to something greater, not just taking from life, but giving back,” he says.
While out at sea, Tom most misses “a soft bed and a nice washroom.” What he misses about voyaging while back in his everyday life is the camaraderie built on having “a common goal amongst the voyagers.”