07/13/2026
Last year, I had the honour and privilege to spend a few weeks in Palau to paddle and learn from the great Sesario Sewralur. I was granted this opportunity thanks to Anelaokahiau Joy Gutierrez who worked tirelessly to organize and to extend her connections to allow me to join.
I learned on Friday, the difficult news that Sesario passed away, far too early for anybody that knew him.
Sesario was a unique and incredible human. A man of so much knowledge, wisdom and kindness. A true teacher of navigation, but also of life. He was a master navigator and one of the few people who could still sail and navigate using the stars, swells and nature. Indigenous knowledge and an art form that is sadly disappearing as the world modernizes and even remote corners of our planet get affected by technology.
I haven’t posted much of my Palau trip, as I planned on growing the body of work and to spend more time in the South Pacific learning, with the hope of even sailing amongst this great man and his crew. Earlier than usual typhoons this year cancelled the final leg of the Maisu’s journey last minute with the Micronesian Voyaging Society, which is what I was going to join.
While I only recently met Sesario and for a short period, he welcomed me (and all of us visiting) as part of his family. Always laughing and smiling his generosity was so apparent to everybody he met.
Just a reminder that you can have an outsized impact on people in your life, irrespective of how long you meet. So cherish the relationships and friendships you do have and embrace the ones you will make in the future.
Rest easy Captain, I know you’re looking down on all of us and helping us navigate these difficult times, and watching over us in the future.
Love and prayers to his family, friends and crewmates 🙏❣️
