When I signed up for this voyage I was a little apprehensive about it…to say the least. But I really wanted to do something significant to celebrate my successful feat in conquering each obstacle this past year. Chemo therapy was no joke, with each treatment I was sicker and sicker, then came surgery . With the help of amazing Physical Therapist, and my personal daughter nurse Mo with me, I recovered seamlessly. Then came Radiation Therapy, again by following doctors instructions on skin care to a tee in addition to Physical Therapy, the Myofascial release, followed by Lymphatic massage has been a god send. One full year of Herceptin infusion completed……..I am officially done with treatment! How do I say farewell to this past year? I signed up to take part in The Pacific Cancer Foundations “Paddle for Life” “Voyage to Lana’i” fundraiser!
First and foremost, much mahalo to those who contributed to my cause, I am beyond appreciative. Love and support is not just monetary contribution to my cause. The past year I have received many cards (via mail), text messages of support, voicemails left on my cell phone, family coming to Maui, patients that I have imaged inquiring about me. I could go on and on. I truly feel so much love and support from everyone….I am blessed.
The Voyage :
My day started with a 330am alarm. By 445am I was at our bus pick up location at Maalea Harbor, which took us to the West side of the island. I was not launching off, so therefor I was at the boat ramp. We were taken to our support boat via a zodiac boat. One the first six man exchange I was put in. You transfer in the open ocean from you support boat to the zodiac then to the canoe. I was really out of comfort zone but with the help and encouragement of my team and the boat support team I managed to transfer….no fear! (It’s not like I can say “God, please make the waves stop so I can transfer without the ocean moving”) I did it I am so proud of myself! Kept telling myself “I beat cancer I can do this”. Being in that canoe in the open ocean was intense on the way to Lana’i, the waves were intense, it was beyond exhilarating !!!! After a couple of exchanges I was put in to be part the landing crew. Paddlers in the launch and landing are survivors. Since I didn’t get to launch I got to land. Coming just past that rock that I never thought we would reach was so emotional. Our captain Linda T.A. had us stop just before coming in and said some encouraging words to each one of us, we were the last canoe in. All the other paddlers were lined up at the beach, I could just see and hear the cheer coming from everyone one the beach as we landed. To follow Hawaiian tradition when you land on another island, permission is granted, then you present gifts after Hawaiian chants and prayers. Each paddler presented gifts to the people of Lana’i. We were given Taro plants, and roots to present to them one by one……all 300 plus paddlers!! It was a beautiful ceremony.
We were provided lunch, by Hard Rock Cafe. After eating those of us that were camping needed to set up camp before the sunset. We were provided tents to pitch….pink tents!! I don’t remember the last time I camped in a tent! Some paddlers opted to stay at the Four Seasons or the Lana’i Hotel, I believe those were you only options. I opted to camp.
I pitched my tent and then went a little hike up to “sweetheart rock” with a fellow paddler and friend Flora.
This is the rock that when paddling into Hulopoe Beach at Manele Bay I thought we would never reach! The view was so beautiful! Dinner was provided by Nalus , I believe they also provided our breakfast Sunday morning as well. A small group of us wanted to ride to visit Lana’i city. We piled into my team captains car and she took us to visit some sites on the island before going into the very small “Lana’i city”. Here is a picture of us by “Jax” which are large concrete barriers in the shape of jax. They create an ocean break where the barges come in for deliveries of containers. 
Sunday morning come oh so fast, sleeping on the ground was not very comfortable, especially being sore from paddling. By 630am our tents had to be down and packed, our bags with our belongs with our team had to be taken to our specific support boat. We had breakfast, 10 minute yoga stretch , morning prayers and chants in Hawaiian, songs were sang it was truly beautiful. I again did not get to be part of the launching crew, but we did get to see the launch before going to the boat harbor to our designated support boat. 
A total of twenty-four canoes entered the water…and they were off. On the first six man exchange I was put in. Again transferring was a bit intimidating for me but I did it! It was blazing hot, the ocean was calm and our support boat captain turned the motor off and said we could jump in the ocean if we wanted. I jumped!!!! We had a rope to hold onto so we would not drift far, you bet I held onto that rope. It was so refreshing to jump in for that moment. There was going to be a couple of exchanges before I went back in so I grabbed my camera and took some photos. 
This is a picture of the zodiac coming toward our support boat to pick us up for another exchange. I was put in, and from what I understand the distance was another 3.8 miles away from Maui. Once in the canoe, you are paddling with strength that you did not know you had. No more exchanges, we were taking this canoe in!! Our steersman Buck was very encouraging, telling us that we were survivors and we could do this!! “Stroke, stroke, stroke” he shouted periodically, “timing people”, “stay focused, you can do this”, “stoke, stroke, stroke my matees! Our support zodiac came over to us to make sure that we were all ok to “ironman” in, we were given small water bottles in case there was not any at the beach waiting for us.
To describe the beauty of Maui from the ocean is impossible. We were so far out that you could not even see the beaches of the West side or the high rise resort hotels of Ka anapali. It was blue ocean, the verdant westside of Maui topped off with blue skies and scattered clouds that looked like a halo over an angel. Purely breath taking. As we got closer to Maui, we could see the resorts, with each stroke we got closer, but it seemed to take forever. The end was near as we got closer and closer, we could see that the rest of our team was in the water waiting to help us bring this canoe in. We landed!!!
This voyage was beyond amazing, never did I imagine that one day I would be part of a team to paddle from one island to another. Doing this was physically and mentally challenging. It was both spiritual and emotional for me sometimes bringing tears to my eyes thinking of the past year….. but that is exactly what it is now…in the past. Time to focus on the the next phase.
Much Mahalo and love to the Pink Paddlers for being so welcoming, you are an exceptional group. I can not believe that this much anticipated event is over, I am so glad I did this.
Much Mahalo and love for taking the time to read my blog. Pina
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