Aloha Kauai: Honoring Our Landfall and the Warm Embrace of Nawiliwili Harbor and Kauai Sailing Association
When Team Ocean completed our epic Pacific crossing — a journey of nearly 2,400 nautical miles from Monterey, California — we could not have dreamed of a more beautiful or welcoming landfall than Kauai, Hawaii.
Known as the “Garden Isle”, Kauai is legendary for its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and deep connection to the ocean — a place where land and sea meet with a rare harmony and respect. It felt profoundly symbolic for our team to arrive here, completing our journey “From the Summit to the Sea” and being embraced by a community that understands and honors the sea like few others.
Our arrival at Nawiliwili Harbor was far more than just a logistical endpoint — it was a homecoming. The harbor, steeped in maritime history and nestled amid the island’s lush beauty, became the perfect place to end our ocean journey and reflect on all we had experienced.
But what made our time on Kauai truly special was the extraordinary hospitality we received from the people here, and in particular from the Kauai Sailing Association (KSA).
From the moment we arrived, KSA’s patrons Carl Anderson and his daughter Astrid opened their arms to us, offering not only their kind welcome but also their unwavering support. Their generosity — allowing us to use their excellent facilities as our temporary base camp to coordinate the arrival of our rowers — made all the difference as we transitioned from the rigors of open-ocean life to life on land.
Their help went far beyond logistics. Carl, Astrid, and the entire KSA community welcomed us with true aloha spirit: offering their time, expertise, warmth, and friendship. Their support allowed us to focus on celebrating our mission’s completion, reflecting on the journey, and sharing our message about water sustainability with this remarkable island community.
As sailors and watermen themselves, Carl, Astrid, and the Kauai Sailing Association deeply understand the importance of respecting and preserving the oceans we depend on. We felt an immediate kinship with them, a shared appreciation of the power, beauty, and fragility of the sea.
For Team Ocean, Kauai is not just where we made landfall — it is where we felt truly at home. The island’s natural beauty, the spirit of Nawiliwili Harbor, and the kindness of the Kauai Sailing Association and its patrons will remain in our hearts long after our oars have rested.
To Carl, Astrid, the Kauai Sailing Association, and the people of Kauai:
Mahalo nui loa — thank you from the bottom of our hearts for welcoming us, supporting us, and honoring us with your extraordinary hospitality.
We are proud to have landed here, and even prouder to now call Kauai part of GROHE Team Ocean’s story.
