We left Salem, Massachusetts at the crack of dawn for the forty or so mile sail to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. There was not a lot of wind, but we still had a clear and beautiful day, perfect to be on the water as the air temperature was predicted to reach ninety plus degrees. We usually sail with a small handful of guests, who are often Native Americans from the land we have just visited. We invite our new friends to sail with us to the next port because they have become family during our brief stays, and it is a way to thank them for their hospitality. But this particular sail from Salem to Portsmouth included only the members of our Leg 21 crew.
Shelly Knoetgen and Kaʻiulani Murphy run sheet lines to open up sail.
While it is always fun to have such appreciative guests along on a sail to continue sharing each other’s cultures, it is also special to be by ourselves. Our crew has been together now – night and day – for almost four weeks. We have become open and relaxed with each other and joke easily. On this sail, we could just be ourselves, working together and helping where needed while being able to individually enjoy one of the primary reasons we are here: our love of being on the ocean. On the way to Portsmouth, we saw lots of lobster fishermen and even a whale.
Uncle Snake on the steering sweep under full sail.
We came in to Wentworth Marina refreshed and looking forward to meeting the community of this area. Sagamore (principle speaker) Paul Pouliot and his wife, Denise and a tribal elder were at the dock to greet us with prayers, tobacco and ancestral songs. They are members of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki nation, one of five members of the Wabanaki Confederacy. It was a beautiful ceremony, and we learned that like us, the Abenaki people are water people. Sagamore Paul recounted how his people were fishermen, explorers and navigators. In this way, we are related. He welcomed us onto his land as family.
Sagamore Paul Pouliot opens the space with a blessing of tobacco.
We ended the evening with a swim and a potluck clam bake at a nearby park, complete with lobsters, clams, and spam musubi, compliments of the local Hawai’i community who joined us. Amazing to continue to find so much commonality and family so far away.
Early morning light warms the canoe as Hōkūleʻa and her crew depart Salem, Massachusetts for Portsmouth, New Hampshire.Unusual cloud patterns warn of a changing weather system.Unusual cloud patterns warn of a changing weather system.Cloud patterns give signs of a changing weather system.Moani, Terry, and Heidi man the East Coast escort vessel, Julieʻs Cat, keeping Hōkūleʻa safely under tow into Portsmouth.Moani, Terry, and Heidi man the East Coast escort vessel, Julieʻs Cat, keeping Hōkūleʻa safely under tow into Portsmouth.Islands off the coast of Portsmouth.Cloud patterns give signs of a changing weather system.Details of the canoe under sail.Kaleo Wong steers the canoe on a hot summer day in the New England waters.Matt Kanemoto and Lurline McGreggor help to re-run sheet lines.Captain Bruce Blankenfeld keeps his eyes on the horizon.Shelly Knoetgen and Jesse Yonover secure the sheet lines while opening sail.Shelly Knoetgen secures a sheet line to the cleat.Shelly Knoetgen secures a sheet line to the cleat.Shelly Knoetgen and Jesse Yonover re-run the sheet lines to open up sail.Kaleo Wong prepares to tack on a jib sail.Kaleo Wong and Matt Kanemoto hank on the head sail.Shelly Knoetgen on a sheet line.Pete Roney pulls on a sheet line to open sail.Kaʻiulani Murphy re-runs a sheet line.Shelly Knoetgen and Kaʻiulani Murphy run sheet lines to open up sail.Shelly Knoetgen on a sheet line.Pete Roney secures the sheet line to the cleat.Crab claw and cloudy skies.Uncle Snake on the steering sweep under full sail.Uncle Snake on the steering sweep under full sail.Uncle Snake on the steering sweep under full sail.Cloud patterns give signs of a changing weather system.A gorgeous day as Hōkūleʻa enters Portsmouth.Matt Kanemoto sounds the pū to announce our arrival.Matt Kanemoto sounds the pū to announce our arrival.A gorgeous day as Hōkūleʻa enters Portsmouth.Matt Kanemoto all smiles as we enter Portsmouth.The crew is greeted by members of the Pennacook-Abenaki TribeMatt Kanemoto sounds the pū to announce our arrival.The crew offers arrival chants to the tribal members.The crew is greeted by members of the Pennacook-Abenaki Tribe.The crew is escorted from the canoe to the arrival ceremony by the Pennacook-Abenaki.The crew is escorted from the canoe to the arrival ceremony by the Pennacook-Abenaki.The crew is escorted from the canoe to the arrival ceremony by the Pennacook-Abenaki.Gifts of lei are given to the crew upon arrival.Gifts of lei are given to the crew upon arrival.Gifts of lei are given to the crew upon arrival.The crew is welcomed by Sagamore Paul Pouliot of the Pennacook-Abenaki.Sagamore Paul Pouliot opens the space with a blessing of tobacco.Sagamore Paul Pouliot opens the space with a blessing of tobacco.Sagamore Paul Pouliot opens the space with a blessing of tobacco.Sagamore Paul Pouliot opens the space with a blessing of tobacco.The crowd that has gathered to welcome the Hōkūleʻa and her crew.Sagamore Paul Pouliot offers some words to the crew about his place and his people.Sagamore Paul Pouliot presents the crew with a traditional song.Portsmouth resident and arrival coordinator, John Sevastano addresses the crew and the audience.The crew listens as speeches are presented.Former Hawaii resident, and uncle to crewmember Kaleo Wong, makes a special mahalo to John Sevastano for coordinating Hōkūleʻas arrival.Maya Saffrey offers a hula and mele to the crowd.Maya Saffrey offers a hula and mele to the crowd.Maya Saffrey offers a hula and mele to the crowd.Kaleo Wong addresses the audience.Captain Bruce Blankenfeld addresses the audience.Captain Bruce Blankenfeld addresses the audience.Captain Bruce Blankenfeld addresses the audience.The crew presents Sagamore Paul and the Pennacook-Abenaki with a kahili to commemorate the relationship formed here today.The crew presents Sagamore Paul and the Pennacook-Abenaki with a kahili to commemorate the relationship formed here today.Pennacook-Abenaki with their gifts from the Hōkūleʻa crew, including a framed picture, an aloha ʻāina peace quilt and a kahili.Pennacook-Abenaki with their gifts from the Hōkūleʻa crew, including a framed picture, an aloha ʻāina peace quilt and a kahili.Jon Sevastano gifts Captain Bruce and the crew a framed painting of Hōkūleʻa entering Portsmouth.Jon Sevastano gifts Captain Bruce and the crew a framed painting of Hōkūleʻa entering Portsmouth.Former Hawaii residents share their aloha with the crew.
Help fund the Voyage as we sail the East Coast
Hōkūle‘a’s visit to the eastern United States is a historic milestone in her 40 years of voyaging.
Celebrate with us by pledging your support to the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage.
