(500 Sails) — “One ocean, one people. The youth of today are our sunrise, and we, the elders, are the sunset. We must help them understand: they will be the sunset of tomorrow, carrying this knowledge forward.” — Grand Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur.
Pete and Emma Perez, co-founders and members of the board of directors of 500 Sails, are now transitioning the leadership of 500 Sails to a capable, younger generation, and are ready to move to a new adventure — in Guam. After over 11 years at the helm, Pete and Emma both feel the new team in place is ready to take over the next leg of the voyage.
The new leadership team includes Milton “Jun” Coleman Jr., executive director; Yukari Hayashi, chief operating officer; Larry Sharry, boatyard supervisor; Yun Smith, senior canoe builder; and Andrea Carr, program manager. The new leaders are joined by Master Navigator Mario Benito and a committed group of employees including traditional canoe sailors, builders, and administrative staff, along with additional support from the Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations. The 500 Sails Board — led by Cecilio Raiukiulipiy, Tiana Reyes, and Geraldine Sasamoto, with guidance from co-founders Pete and Emma Perez — remains steady through this transition.
Pete and Emma leave 500 Sails with three major multi-year grants in place. In addition, they leave a program in place that can provide program revenue as tourists return, as well as the opportunity for traditional canoe manufacturing using molds, and boat repair for the community that will be used as teaching opportunities.
Pete and Emma will be starting their new adventure in Guam in January 2026, where Emma will support research, education, and outreach that address the critical challenges facing the Marianas. The two will live at the same large family property where Pete farmed after graduating from University of Hawaii with a degree in tropical agriculture. In addition to small-scale farming, Pete will pursue forest management and wildlife restoration. He is particularly interested in using integrated pest management to reduce the brown tree snake population that has killed most of Guam’s forest birds.
Pete and Emma remain profoundly grateful to the CNMI community, whose embrace of traditional canoes has given life and meaning to this work. They also understand that every sunset makes way for a sunrise. By stepping back, they are intentionally creating space for the next generation to rise, lead, and carry this legacy forward.
