New Year, New Website

Happy New Year!

I haven’t posted anything here for a while, but for a good reason: I have a new website!

Maritime Hawai‘i

It’s a bit more “official” and organized than this blog. Since there is no more Hawaii Maritime Center, I felt that there was a need for a resource where people can learn about the commercial side of Hawai‘i’s maritime world.

There’s not much there at the moment, but I have a bunch of photos and a lot of ideas for stories.

If you are one of my local maritime friends and would like to contribute to the site (stories, pics, etc.), please drop me a line.

Matson and Tugs

Mahimahi departing. With Foss tugs Freedom and Pi‘ilani.

Getting pushy. Freedom versus Mikioi.

Freedom:

Kawika:

Miki Hana:

Maunawili arriving. With Mikioi:

Unexpected Morning Ride

A cloudy/rainy morning at the harbor.

Mare Fox at Pier 1:

A bit too far away for good photos, but nice to see two ‘iwa flying around:

Barge Hilo Bay and tugs Capt Les Easom and Salishan:

Mikioi and Pi‘ilani headed out to assist Manoa:

The reality of the port side of Falls of Clyde. Spot the ‘a‘ama (Thin-shelled rock crab):

Kulamanu (ex-Rella Mae) detail:

The Kulamanu is another ship being forced out of the harbor.

One of the Tiger tugs now in Foss livery as Freedom:

Manoa:

SPM:

Admiral’s Barge still hauled out, but looking good:

Mahalo to Paul and Captain Collins.

Variety of Ships

There was an interesting mix of ships to see at the harbor today.

Balao at Pier 1:

Matson Navigator along with Sause Bros. tugs Henry Sr. and Capt Les Easom:

Interesting SWATH vessel, Susitna, on a barge on the way to the Philippines:

Chinese bulk cargo ship, Rui An Cheng:

Crew standing by:

Pi‘ilani working at the stern:

Mikioi at the bow:

Splash! Testing the anchor:

Setting up rat guards:

Next job, Matson arrival. Mikioi with Mahimahi:

Mahimahi backing down the channel with assistance from Mikioi and Pi‘ilani:

Hello to new and old friends from McCabe, Hamilton & Renny. Always fun talking with you guys.

Yet More Cars

Elegant Ace arriving:

Stern and ramp detail:

Pi‘ilani:

Noke:

Relaxing Saturday

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had a nice, carefree Saturday. Usually, there’s something I need to attend to or think about. It was great walking around, enjoying the sun and decent trades.

I spent most of the morning and early afternoon at the harbor (where else).

Westerdam was at Pier 10/11. Rat guards:

Hoku Ke‘a arrived with a barge (not pictured):

Torm Kansas:

If you are not sure what company the ship belongs to:

Mamo:

More cars! Pacific Highway:

Part of ramp and some crew members:

Bunker barge Ne‘ena being moved from Westerdam over to Pride of America by Namahoe:

American Contender hauling a barge…

…full of stuff (gravel, rocks, and machinery)

Namahoe all pau until it’s time to move Ne‘ena again:

Salishan with Matson crane barge Mauna Loa:

Before I left the Aloha Tower area, I walked over to Pier 7 to check on things. The state has posted guards to keep people off the pier since it impounded Falls of Clyde, so not able to get too close.

Kulamanu (ex-Rella Mae), another one of the ships being pressured to leave the harbor by the state. Portholes and viewing windows being boarded up with plywood. Hum of engine (or generator).

Said hello to my old friend. A zebra dove sitting in the top band of the bowsprit cap:

It’s all very sad.

Taking the Falls of Clyde Home?

Those of you who are interested in large historic sailing ships have no doubt been following what has been going on at South Street Seaport Museum. Wavertree is back from dry dock and looking splendid. (Congratulations to all involved!) Peking is being prepared for her journey back to Germany and a brighter future.

It is quite a different situation here in Hawai‘i. Time is running out for the National Historic Landmark ship, Falls of Clyde.

Lately, I have been quiet regarding the Falls of Clyde. It is not because I do not care. I have been watching and waiting to see what became of the discussions between DOT Harbors and the Friends of Falls of Clyde (FFOC). Frankly, I didn’t have much hope for the future of the ship.

I have been spending my time trying not to be angry and depressed by the whole situation and mentally preparing myself to hear bad news.

Will she be:

• Towed out and scuttled in international waters?
• Sold and broken up for scrap?
• Sunk as an artificial reef or dive site?

Nothing but sad thoughts. Until today. Today brought a glimmer of hope.

Is it possible that there is enough interest in Scotland to bring the Falls back home to the Clyde, should the FFOC’s efforts fail?

A campaign has been started to explore the possibilities, while still supporting the mission of the FFOC. The following is a Facebook post from David O’Neill, who is spearheading the effort:

This is a Glasgow and Clyde Heritage related post, I am looking for volunteers who have an interest in the Clyde Shipbuilding History, who may have skills in P.R., Media and fund raising or crowdfunding. This is a campaign to bring back and restore a Port Glasgow built ship Falls of Clyde. Built at Russell shipyard, now Ferguson Marine.

The ship is currently in Hawaii and was a museum ship up until about 8 years ago, now under threat of being sunk as an artificial reef.

Hollywood actor and Scot, Mr Brian Cox of Bourne Identity, Troy and Planet of the Apes has agreed to be our patron so hopefully this will boost the campaign.

Glasgow Nautical College are also on board and can play a part in her restoration.

Clyde Maritime Trust are also offering help to save this 138 year old ship

We will shortly be launching a crowd funding campaign, so please consider playing a part in this effort, if we succeed the plan is to rebuild her and put her back to work, as a Fairtrade Transport Vessel, Sail powered, carbon free.

Another aim is to include Community Groups and Secondary Schools across Scotland, who can send kids aboard on trips for life changing journeys to fly the flag for Scotland and Glasgows Shipbuilding Heritage.

Please share to all groups and friends you know, this will be a tough challenge, but will be worth it.

I am happy to share David’s message. I spoke with him at length on the phone this afternoon. He is walking into this with eyes wide open. He knows it will be a hard road. I fully support his efforts. I like his energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to explore all channels necessary.

While I would be sad to see the Falls leave Hawai‘i, to have her return to Scotland would be pono, since the state does not seem to care about supporting her as an important part of local maritime history.

There is hope.

Lucky

Things were looking really scary for a while with hurricanes Madeline and Lester headed for Hawai‘i. Fortunately, Madeline turned to the south and Lester to the north of the islands. Whew!

Due to the hurricane threat, there was no harbor traffic in the morning, but things picked up in the afternoon after it became clear Lester was moving away from O‘ahu.

Kinei Maru No. 83 arriving at Pier 9:

Crew handling mooring lines at the bow:

Tug Hawaii and barge Capella with Pi‘ilani assisting:

Tanker Ross Sea heading to the offshore anchorage:

Ross Sea draft marks:

View from offshore:

Back in the harbor with another tanker, St. Joseph:

Mikioi at the bow:

Pi‘ilani:

St. Joseph tying up at Pier 51:

Salishan with Matson barge Mauna Loa:

Job done. Mikioi headed back.

Mahalo to Captains Enos, Hopkins, and Demuth. Special thanks to Paul.

Harbor Sunset

After spending most of the weekend in front of my computer, I took a few hours off to get some fresh air.

Poor Falls of Clyde…in limbo. So very depressing. Impounded by the state but still owned by the Friends of Falls of Clyde. I guess the powers that be don’t mind that their names will go down in maritime history as the “bad guys.”

Too bad that it’s only money that talks. History’s voice is silenced by greed.

One bright spot in all of this is that I’ve made some new friends. People who understand and care about the fate of ships like FOC.

Maunawili and tug Hoku Ke‘a:

Horizon Reliance assisted by Mikioi and Pi‘ilani:

Mana‘o approaching Pier 9 to pick up some folks:

Horizon Reliance‘s distinctive stern:

Pi‘ilani:

Sign the Petition…

Help stop the State of Hawai‘i from evicting the National Historic Landmark ship Falls of Clyde from Honolulu Harbor. This ship is the only one of her kind in left in the world.

The following link will take you to the petition:
Save the Falls of Clyde

In addition, you can help by contacting your local politicians, news outlets, sharing on social media…spread the word!

***

For me, this is déjà vu, in a bad way. Much more painful than in 2008. Sigh.