500 Sails ships canoes to Hawaii for FestPAC

Four traditional canoes will be sailing the water at FestPAC in Hawaii this June, joining other seafarers on their canoes from across the Pacific in an opening ceremony. 

On Tuesday, 500 Sails began loading the canoes into shipping containers.

500 Sails Executive Director Milton Coleman Jr. said, “We got all the canoes loaded up and strapped down, ready to head on its one-month voyage, so to speak, on Matson shipping. It was a blessing to get sponsorship from them. And, you know, it took a lot of hard work by everyone. All the team came in, and pitched in extra hours into the night. And, you know, we got it done. So we were really relieved. We just saw a wait for the canoes to arrive in Honolulu probably at the end of April.”

He said it is the first time the NMI has had canoes from the island at FestPAC.

“The delegates are very excited. You know, it was like a big goal to get those crews on the ship and ready to go,” said Coleman. 

They’ll be part of the 100-person delegation from the NMI, including dancers, musicians, artists, crafters, and canoe carvers.

He added, “Our ultimate goal is to keep promoting our culture, reviving our traditions, and making it accessible not just to our locals, but to the whole world.”

He said they could sail some of the canoes back to Saipan if the circumstances allow.