KALAKALA BULLETIN No. 1

First, I must give thanks to everyone for all the past volunteer, in-kind, and monetary contributions.  I knew from the beginning that public sentiments could not save the ship.  I also knew that a time and chance would return for a fund drive. The time is now and it could not be a better time to make contributions.

Therefore, we have ended the Kalakala Charter Membership Drive on June 1, 2006.  And, our charter members list will be posted onto our website www.kalakala.org.  And, they will always be remembered for helping save the ship within the first 2 years of struggles.  Today, we begin a new fund drive, so that, we can take the Kalakala to the shipyard.  It will be a $250,000 fund raising goal, and with these funds we will do work on the water to prepare the Kalakala structurally to enable the Kalakala to be taken out of the water for work at a dry-dock.

I hope that many individuals, the City of Seattle, and federal and State agencies help us to restore the excitement that was witnessed in November 1998.  And, on or before July 1, 2007 I can see this happening as the Kalakala is towed to the shipyard for the first time since the early 1960’s!  This will truly begin Phase I of the Kalakala restoration and future preservation efforts.  Not to mention, in a sense, the return of the spirit of maritime community renewal.  I believe the Kalakala is a ship of a thousand years!