By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
500 Sails and the Indigenous Affairs Office held a blessing and launching ceremony Saturday morning at Guma Sakman in Susupe for the newest addition to the nonprofit’s growing canoe fleet — a 14.3-foot galaide named Ka’isa.
The galaide, a traditional Chamorro paddling and fishing canoe, is the latest vessel completed at the 500 Sails Cultural Maritime Training Center’s boatyard in Lower Base.
The canoe was built under the direction of master canoe builder and 500 Sails co-founder Peter Perez.
500 Sails Director Jun Coleman said the launch represents both cultural continuity and community pride.
“Today, we had a blessing and launching of a new canoe called Ka’isa, the type of canoe we call a galaide — a Chamorro fishing canoe,” Coleman said. “It looks really good, floats really well, and for 500 Sails, we want to recognize that Pete Perez has achieved something pretty awesome.”
Coleman noted that Perez has helped build four of the main traditional Chamorro canoe types: the sakman (large voyaging canoe), the leklek (medium-sized sailing canoe), the duduli’, and now the galaide. Ka’isa becomes the 11th canoe in the 500 Sails fleet.
Saturday’s ceremony included both Chamorro and Refaluwasch (Carolinian) blessings, led by Chamorro cultural practitioner Donald Mendiola and Refaluwasch master navigator and master canoe builder Mario Benito.
Coleman said the revival of canoe culture carries benefits far beyond the boatyard.
“The great thing about canoes and our canoe culture is that everybody benefits from it,” she said. “If you go on the canoe, it’s very therapeutic. It gets you into appreciating nature, and it builds respect for our ancestors and their way of life. They sustained themselves for thousands of years, and it was through using canoes that they strengthened the future.”
He added that 500 Sails’ canoe programs have drawn thousands of participants over the years, including residents and visitors.
“It’s a positive, eco-friendly activity and an authentic cultural experience,” Coleman said. “We still offer free programs for local residents. We just want to keep it going — keep building, keep sailing, keep learning to swim — all the things that make our island a healthier place and help people appreciate who we are.”
About 500 Sails
Founded to revive the maritime traditions of the Mariana Islands, 500 Sails is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rebuilding traditional Chamorro and Refaluwasch canoe culture through boatbuilding, sailing, swimming instruction, and community education. Its long-term mission is to restore the seafaring heritage that once defined the region and to make canoeing accessible to residents of all ages. The organization operates the 500 Sails Cultural Maritime Training Center and continues working toward a symbolic goal of 500 canoes.
For more information, call (670) 323-7245.
