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Honolulu, HI---Jan. 22, 2003---- Jonathan Cowles embarked on an excursion of a lifetime. This fall, the Chaminade University MBA graduate set off on a 2-month rowing journey that has taken him 1,200 miles along the coast of South Korea to enhance economic opportunities that exist between the United States and South Korea. Before he left, Cowles presented an inscribed koa paddle as a gift to the President of the Republic of Korea Roh Moo-hyun.
Cowles is scheduled to meet with a local government and tourism officials to report on his goodwill efforts. According to Cowles, “The Spirit of Hawaii Friendship Coastal Korean Tour” has been a huge success with wide coverage by the Korean media, but has shown an image of an American working together with Koreans that had generated a widespread of support in Korea. Hundreds gathered along the route offering Cowles overnight home stays, meals and encouragement. He says one of his greatest struggles has been the financial and physical hardships.
“I rowed under an observation post and nearly 40 soldiers climbed on the building roof to cheer me on,” said Cowles. In each port, people would greet the American paddler to cheer him on, offering words of support and encouragement. While on his journey, Cowles encountered two typhoons that had damaged his boat but not enough to stop his trip.
Cowles visited many different places in Korea and was able to get complete tours of every location he visited. Some of the places that Cowles was able to visit included the Port of Kunsan, which is a port very important to Korea’s economy. Mokpo Maritime University (Merchant Marine Training University) where he met with some students, the merchant marine is the lifeblood of Korea’s economy.
One of Cowles’s biggest visits was the Posco Steel Company in Pohang, which is normally restricted to foreigners. He was given a lengthy tour of the steel making process. Posco supplies steel to Korea’s shipbuilding industry and is one of the world’s largest steel makers, with construction projects in Hawaii. Cowles has been invited to give lectures about the economic and international relations aspects of the trip to three universities in Korea after he returns from his extension tour to North Korea. Some of Cowles’s sponsors and support include the MBA program at Chaminade University, Korean Air, UPS, Maui Divers of Hawaii, and Island Paddler.
Founded in 1955 by the Society of Mary (Marianist), Chaminade is committed to educating future leaders equipped with both talent and character. CUH offers professional preparation in liberal arts that positions students for life, work and service. With 22 undergraduate degree programs and five graduate degree programs, CUH enrolls over 2,500 students. CUH offers day, evening, online and accelerated 10-week courses to meet the needs of working adults both at its scenic Kaimuki hillside campus overlooking Diamond Head and 10 satellite locations around O’ahu military bases and Catholic parishes and schools.
Chaminade University of Honolulu is located at 3140 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816. For more information, visit the Chaminade University website at www.chaminade.edu or call (808) 735-4711.
