Growing up in Bremerton, Washington in the 1960’s, I often saw the green and white Washington State ferries sailing to and from Seattle. One ferry, however, stood out from among the rest due to its silver color and aerodynamic, Art Deco design. It was the MV Kalakala. “Kalakala” is a Chinook word meaning “flying bird.”
I only recently learned that the Kalakala has a fascinating history. Thanks to Kalakala.org, here is a partial time line:
• Launched as the steam ship Peralta in 1926.
• Burned to the main deck in an arson fire in 1933.
• Launched in 1935 as the Kalakala, the world’s first streamlined vessel.
• Welcomed to the Washington State Ferry fleet in 1951.
• Retired from service in 1967.
• Converted to a crab-processing vessel for Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
• Converted to process shrimp and floated onto a pre-made bed of sand at Gibson Cove, Kodiak Alaska.
• Repaired, refloated and returned to Elliot Bay in 1998 after a 32 year absence.
Today the Kalakala is moored in Tacoma, Washington and is sadly in need of repair. Steve Rodrigues, president of the Kalakala Alliance Foundation is walking across America in hopes of visiting President Obama, U.S. Interior Secretary Salazar and Director Jarvis later this month to nominate the Kalakala as a National Landmark.
The lesson I take away from the Kalakala is the need to constantly reinvent our products and services, our businesses, and even ourselves. I wish Mr. Rodrigues and the Kalakala Alliance Foundation much success in their efforts to reinvent the Kalakala. Much like the mythical Phoenix, the Kalakala literally rose from the ashes 75 years ago. It has figuratively risen from the ashes several times since. I hope to see this “flying bird” do so yet again.
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