Pwo Navigator, Nainoa Thompson says that, “when we look at success of our organization we don’t see it as the lens that we do it in isolation. We look at other organizations, primarily non-profits that need to raise funds but are going to support our values in ways that we cannot. And so, Hawaiʻi Nature Center is one of those non-profits. And so, we were asked if we could help with one of thoselive auction things…and so, they had their fundraiser, and Linda McCrory was the one who had the highest bid, but she works here, for Lānaʻi Company.”
“Your vision of what Hōkūleʻa will do when sailing around the world is one of the very largest dreams and inspirational challenges. And for all of us who are going to be on this journey, working with Lānaʻi, to understand your journey, and how you work on the ship with everyone else, and pull together as a team is what I thought was important for all of us to learn and see.” says Pūlama Lānaʻi Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Lynn McCrory.
So Lynn brought along her executive leadership team of the Pūlama Lānaʻi company to share in the experience.
“Pūlama Lānaʻi is the company that represents the owner of the majority of the island, and our job here is to effect a lot of different changes for the community…And things that we’ll be engaging in are education, health care, conservation, and also changing the economy by improving the hospitality industry, and also bringing agriculture back to the island.” says Chief Operating Officer of Pūlama Lānaʻi, Kurt Matsumoto.
“I think it was an important sail in a way that I had a chance to talk to and listen to those who have both the authority and the ability to create enormous change on this island. And the kuleana, and the responsibility for that, and so who does change serve…and at the core they’re very good, decent people, trying to do the right thing.” says Nainoa.
Pūlama LānaʻI members were also able to see how working on Hōkūleʻa is similar to the teamwork needed in any other type of organization.
“It’s great to be able to not only see Hōkūleʻa, but actually experience sailing on it. Just the fact that people know what their roles are…they do it extremely well, and they have a passion for what they’re doing, and that’s something that relates well with what we are trying to do.” says Kurt Matsumoto.
Lynn McCrory says that, “I loved the team part…I loved pulling on the ropes, and holding the sails…and when they finally open up and you have this wind and this ship is moving and you realize that that little rope you were pulling or that one piece that you were doing is just as important as everyone else. And without it, the sail doesn’t open, and the ship doesn’t sail, so everyone is important, and all those pieces make a difference.”
