March 12, 2012
Hawai’i’s pixely green outline came onto our radar last night during C watch, then really came into view during morning watch, which we had as well. Paul was the first to sight it. He had gotten up at 0500 to see it, then waited until 1000 when it finally appeared. I was in the galley, so I got to see it through the haze surrounding it, then went back down below to do dishes and help prepare the sandwiches we were having for lunch. When I came back up, carrying a espresso for the captain (and I got one too…perks of being in galley) land was RIGHT THERE. We motored along the coast of the Big Island for awhile, careful to stay about a mile off. Looking through the bionoculars, we could see people on the beach, all the resorts and hotels lining the shore, patches of green golf courses among the brown landscape, American roads, and other familiar sights. People in fishing boats surrounded us (surrounded being a relative term…) and I was shocked to remember other people exist in the world. That’s actually not far from the truth. I had feelings I didn’t expect to have when we sighted land. I was…disappointed. I didn’t want to see land. Even though I’m excited to see people back home, land means outside influences on the small community we have built over the past 40 days sans internet or cell phones. It means talking at the rail and playing cards at the gimbaled tables after dinner (learned hearts tonight…I lost horribly, but it was great fun), or listening to the ukuleles at sunset and crafting bracelets won’t happen as often because we’ll all be caught up in reimmersing ourselves in our shore lives. Though it’s idealistic to want our ship to remain as it is, I can’t help but miss the open ocean and the sense of purpose that comes from watching over the ship as your shipmates sleep.
Speaking of sleeping, everyone is now able to sleep much better. As soon as we were within 20 nm of the island, the winds calmed down to a force 1 and the swells reduced to about ¼ the size we’d been documenting. All that because of the shelter the island provides, called the lee. We’re on the leeward side of the island, enjoying the protection it offers from the winds around us. 20 nm though. That’s pretty far out.
During lecture today, which we were able to hold on deck once more, Tahi taught us something Hawaiians do called “hongi”. It’s about sharing “ha”, breath of life, with those you’re close with. It involves pressing your forehead and nose to the other person’s forehead and nose, closing your eyes, and taking a deep breath, then stepping back. You are exchanging breaths, and it’s a surprisingly intimate action, involving just you and the other person. We got in a circle and milled about, receiving the breath of life from each other. There’s a quote Tahi shared with us that said, “bring your nose to mine and let’s humble the anger”, meaning when you are angry, get close to the person you’re angry with and things will calm down.
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