It all began when a little boat called Kamome, covered in barnacles, washed ashore on South Beach in Crescent City, California. Students from Del Norte High School scrubbed it clean, uncovering its name and origin. The small boat drifted for two years and 5,000 miles across the Pacific after the 2011 tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Japan. The boat—belonging to Takata High School—was returned, forging friendship and collaboration between two communities an ocean apart.

The Kamome boats were artfully designed by Del Norte High School students in coordination with seven (7) community partners — Del Norte County, the City of Crescent City, Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, Elk Valley Rancheria, the Yurok Tribe, Crescent City Harbor District, and the Fishermen’s Marketing Association. Visit the seven hand painted miniature Kamome boats to earn a prize.

The handmade miniature replica boats were crafted by Nunzio Lagattuta, Del Norte High School art teacher. The wooden boat stands were cut by Eileen Silvey, DNHS woodshop class.

We would also like to acknowledge — and thank — Carol Zocchi for her help on this art initiative. Carol leads the Del Norte High School Japan Club.

The seven Kamome boats are scattered across Del Norte County, California and on display in the communities of Crescent City, Smith River, and Klamath, California. We encourage you to visit all seven of the boats and learn more about the student artists.

Download the Kamome “Boats of Hope” Art Tour map, snap a photo and then head to the Crescent City-Del Norte County Visitor Center to pick up your commemorative prize.

Please consider joining us every April for the annual Kamome Festival celebrating the friendship sparked by Kamome between Crescent City and Rikuzentakata, Japan.