Aloha, Pua could you go to the canoe Kamakura facebook site and look at the second photo and tell me what does the flags on the wall mean?
Aloha Loui san !! The flags on the pic are called "Tairyo-Bata" or flags for the fishing boats in Japan. The Japanese fishermen put the flags on their fishing boat for the good luck on their fishing. Usually the name of the boat is printed on the flag. It is a tradition of Japan putting these colorful flags on the fishing boat wishing them fish a lot of fish and come back safely. I think they put many of these on the wall at the beach welcoming Hokule'a in Japan and also wishing its safe voyage.
Ahhh, Mahalo Pua, can you please post your letter to the picture for our fan club.