Project Summary

The name "500 Sails" was inspired by the arrival of the Spanish galleon San Pedro at Guam in 1565, when it was met by the Chamorros in their sailing canoes. Our goal is to reclaim the maritime tradition in the Marianas by getting 500 traditional Chamorro and Carolilnians proas on the water in the Marianas again. By matching the number of proas seen on the water in 1565, we will have restored our maritime traditions. The target date to accomplish this is 2030.

Chamorro and Carolinian proas on the water at Festpac 2016

The 500 Sails Guma Sakman (canoe house), opened in June, 2017. Programs conducted at the Guma Sakman include:

500 Sails canoe building takes place in an indoor boatyard in Lower Base, Saipan. We build Chamorro and Carolinian sailing proas. To keep the costs down, speed the building time, and ensure long lasting canoes, both the hull and outrigger are made of fiberglass, using modern boat-building processes. The expected life span of a 500 Sails canoe is over 100 years.

Participants in the canoe building program will work together to build canoes that they will own. Participants need only pay the cost of materials. Financial assistance for indigenous Chamorros and Carolinians is available based on need is provided through an Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Social & Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) grant. The grant, entitled "500 Sails – Improving Health Outcomes Through Traditional Maritime Activities", aims to improve the health of the indigenous community by encouraging and enabling widespread participation in traditional Chamorro and Carolinian proa construction and sailing. In addition to the ANA SEDS grant, grant funding for 500 Sails programs has been provided by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, and the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture (CCAC). Our canoe house "Guma Sakman" and indoor boatyard are provided by the Department of Lands and Natural Resources with the support of the Office of the Governor of the CNMI.

Our financial and in-kind supporters in the business community include:

500 Sails also receives financial donations from program participants and others who want to help us bring canoe building and sailing back into the daily lives of the people of the Marianas.