The Aloha Kithchen

Many people ask how we got the name Mahina Kai, and what does Mahina Kai mean?

Mahina Kai is Hawaiian and loosely translated means "moon over sea". Back in 1990 Art and I backpacked the Napali Coast on the north shore of the island of Kauai. At the end of the hiking trail there is a valley and a beach called Kalalau Valley. After camping in the valley for a week we stayed at a small B&B called Mahina Kai. The B&B was owned by an artist and his partner who spent 24 months building the residence and studio. The grounds and pool are modeled after a Japanese style farm house. The Island of Kauai and the Mahina Kai have a special place in our hearts as it was the first of what we knew would be many adventures together. When we purchased our first boat there was no question her name would be Mahina Kai.

Camping in this beautiful valley we were introduced to the concept of the Aloha Spirit and the Aloha Kitchen. The Aloha Spirit says whatever you need will be provided. The kitchen was a specific implementation by the resident and travelers to the valley. Each evening after sunset everyone was welcome to join in a community meal, bringing whatever food they had to share. Some would bring their backpack food, others would bring tomatoes or mangos picked from the valley, others would bring only a song or a smiling face to join the community. There was always enough, and no one left hungry.

One afternoon a local resident who always wore a brown leisure suit with bell bottoms came walking out of the mango grove with his arm badly bleeding. In clearing brush he had badly cut his arm with a machete and needed some medical attention. The secluded beach is a mile long with less than a dozen people. The nearest road is 12 miles over a rough trail. That afternoon on the beach their was a doctor and a trauma nurse who had both brought medical supplies. The man was promptly patched up and on his way. A great reminder of the Aloha Spirit.

Bermuda reminds us a lot of Hawaii and the Aloha Spirit. Preparing to backpack the coast was almost a year in obtaining permission, acquiring the right equipment and ensuring we were physically and mentally ready for such an adventure. This trip to Bermuda, was a similar process in the preparation of the ship and crew to participate in an our first open ocean race.

This morning we discovered that we had 6 addition tickets for the Gala Dinner tonight celebrating the end of the race. We stopped by the duty desk at the Dinghy Club to let them know we had additional tickets. At the same time the coach of the two Navy teams was in the club house discussing with the Commodore if there was a way to get tickets to to the event for the student crew of the s/v Defiance and the s/v Integrity.

We briefly met with the coach and arrange to donate the tickets so the top 3 officers for each sailing vessel could attend the event.

This afternoon we took a taxi to Smith Cove beach. The edge of the beach is outlined by pine trees to provide shade and an opportunity to get out of the sun after swimming. The shade of the trees at the edge of the beach reminded us of the mango grove in Kalalau that provided a similar function. After we arrived we realized we should have probably brought a chair for my mother. Under the tree we picked as our base camp for the day, there was a lone white plastic chair awaiting our use. The Aloha spirit provides what we need.

We are grateful that so many of our friends and family have participated in our adventure whether physically being here with us here in Bermuda or following our progress remotely. I know all of you have wished us safe travels and prayed for our safe arrival in Bermuda. We would ask that you keep Mahina Kai and her crew in your thoughts and prayers as we depart on Monday for the return trip to New England.

The Aloha Spirit is always aboard Mahina Kai.