Keahi Ho (center, standing) works with the crew of the Merlin during the 2017 Transpacific Yacht Race. Ho, a Maui County firefighter, is competing in the Transpac for the third time starting today, and for the second time with the Merlin Yacht Racing crew. -- SHARON GREEN photo
After making final boat checks Friday, Lahaina resident Keahi Ho is ready to embark on the world-renowned Transpacific Yacht Race, sailing from California to Oahu on his dream boat Merlin.
The 50th edition of the biennial Transpac race began Wednesday, but the 10-sailor Merlin Yacht Racing crew will set sail today from Los Angeles. Start days are separated based on division, which depends on the size and speed of the boat.
“I remember watching the boat from shore as a kid in the 80’s. … It’s a dream come true, it’s a really special boat and has a really special place in sailing,” said Ho, 45, via phone from California earlier this week. “It’s still a really competitive boat and it’s just fun to be a part of and I think we have a realistic shot of being competitive.”
Ho has been sailing since childhood and after moving to Hawaii from California at the age of 13, his interest in the sport grew. He attended the University of Hawaii and joined the sailing team, which is among the top in the country.
“The teammate work, preparation and perseverance,” he said of his favorite aspects of competitive sailing. “Also, just feeling connected to nature and the ocean.”
The Merlin sails in the 2017 Transpac. -- SHARON GREEN photo
Now, Ho — a Maui County firefighter — runs his own business called GungHo Sailing out of Lahaina Harbor and is a U.S. Sailing Level I Instructor. Additionally, Ho is a junior sailing coach with the Lahaina Yacht Club.
Ho said that the Merlin Yacht Racing team’s goal is to finish the Transpac in under eight days, weather permitting.
“It depends on how long it takes for us to get off the coast of California,” he said. “The boat is definitely faster now than it was, so as long as we can sail good or better, then we should hopefully do better.”
The Merlin is among the 90 yachts that will race 2,225 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean, starting from Point Fermin in Los Angeles and ending off Diamond Head in Honolulu.
According to the Transpac website, sailors are anticipated to reach Honolulu as early as Wednesday.
“It really takes a lifetime of preparation,” Ho said. “But the immediate preparation is to make sure you’re physically fit and you’re in good health, and that you are well acquainted with your crew and your boat.”
This will be Ho’s third Transpac race and his second aboard Merlin, a sailboat designed in the 1970s by Bill Lee.
Since its debut, Merlin has had multiple owners, but a couple years ago, Lee bought the yacht back for the 2017 Transpac race. Ho helped the crew to finish third that year in its division and eighth overall.
A small group from the same crew competed with Ho last summer in the 635-mile Bermuda Race.
Transpac race updates, progress and photos of the crew can be found on the Transpac website and @gunghosailing on Instagram.
“A week ago, we spent seven days down here practicing, working on the boat and preparing,” Ho said. “Everyday is just a constant progression towards being more prepared and faster.”
And while making the necessary preparations in California, Ho’s thoughts are with his his fellow Maui firefighters as they battle the brush fires that have, as of Friday evening, scorched more than 9,000 acres since Thursday morning.
“I’m just thinking of everybody and telling them to stay safe and stay hydrated,” he said Friday. “I have confidence in them, they’re all really good at it. They’ll get it handled.”
* Dakota Grossman is at dgrossman@mauinews.com
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Today • HHSAA swimming and diving 8:30 a.m.—State championships, dive finals, at Kihei Aquatic Center. 1 ...
BOWLING ALOHA FRIDAY LEAGUE Feb. 2 Results At Wailuku Lanes Standings—Anela’s 61, Jonathan’s 59.5, ...
Lola Donez scored 19 points in her final game with the Lahainaluna High School girls basketball team as the Lunas ...
Top-seeded Iolani School got a golden goal off the post in the 89th minute on Friday night for a 1-0 overtime win ...
Today • HHSAA swimming and diving 10 a.m.—State championships, dive prelims, at Kihei Aquatic ...
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3UoqWer6NjsLC5jqynqKqkqHytu8Kao2aroKS%2Ftb%2BOa2dqcV9lhHC0zmaqnqyjYsCitctmoKdlpJ22s7CMramapqOlrqR7