A Tribute to My Classmate and Brother, Sesario Sewralur – the Master Navigator of the OIHS Class of 1989

A Tribute to My Classmate and Brother, Sesario Sewralur – the Master Navigator of the OIHS Class of 1989.

There is nothing more profound than to honor his name. Sesario is a true Remathau! He chose to follow the footsteps of his father, the late and Honorable Master Navigator, Mau Piailug. To the world, he was a Master Navigator, but to me, he was my dear high school classmate and a brother.

When the news reached us, the shock and sadness were overwhelming. I saw the post by our sister Martha in Honolulu and called her right away. I had to compose myself to comfort her, reminding her to stay strong for the kids, for herself, for our beloved Ses, and for all of us—trusting that only God can heal our hearts. In my craziness, I totally forgot our sister Halor was right here next to me in Hilo! Once I realized, I went down to visit her and our families in Hilo so we could be together.

My mind keeps drifting back to our days at Outer Islands High School. Our Class of 1989 is a family—though at one point, they called us the “Trouble Makers,” and looking back, maybe we earned it a little bit! After high school, Sesario and I went our separate ways—he ended up in Palau and I went to the US mainland. We didn’t get in touch very often because we both got tied up with life, but the few times we spoke, he would just smile, shake his head, and ask: “Cal, where the hell is everybody?”

That was Sesario in a nutshell. He was always so keen to know where and how every one of his fellow trouble makers was doing. I would just shake my head, laugh along, and give him the updates. I’d tell him, “I only know about our sister Sophia, I’ve lost track of Sophiano, and Celes and Paul are now chiefs back home on Ulithi. And our late brother Stan is probably somewhere in Malem, Kosrae breaking all the Kosraean rules drinking tuba!”

When we talked, it was mostly just laughter like that. I guess because both of us knew we were getting older, and we both wanted to get back to those old days when things were simple. We missed each other so much back then that all we could think of was the next student run, whether to go home to our islands or just head right back to school because we couldn’t stand being apart.

Heaven is truly getting the stars, a Master Navigator, and a bit of that 1989 trouble-making spirit. I know he is in good company up there, and those guys are going to be very happy to see him. He is reunited now with our brothers who sailed ahead of us—our late brother Stan, our very own Antonlino who passed away long ago when I was in Japan, and Augustine Fanoway who just left us a few months ago. They are all together again.

Most importantly, to Sesario’s dear wife and children: our hearts break with yours. We surround you with our love, our prayers, and our deepest condolences. Your husband and dad was a giant to the world, but we know he was your anchor. Please know that his class family stands with you entirely, and we lift you up to God, praying that He wraps you in comfort and gives you strength in the days ahead.

To my sisters Martha and Halor, and to the kids here with me in Hawaii, and to our brothers and sisters everywhere: let us hold on to each other.

To our people of Satawal Island, the entire Outer Islands of Yap, the State of Yap, and across the Federated States of Micronesia, we share this immense grief, but we also share his incredible legacy. When the ocean feels too wide and the sorrow too deep, remember the strength of the navigators who came before us. Take comfort in knowing that our bonds of family and island heritage cannot be broken by distance or loss. Let us look to the stars he sailed by and find peace in God’s healing grace.

To my beloved Class of 1989 brothers and sisters: though we are scattered across different corners of the world, we are bound by a history that time cannot erase. Sesario loved us deeply, and he always wanted to know where everybody was. Let us honor him by staying connected, looking out for one another, and keeping our unique family bond strong.

Rest in peace, Sesario. We know exactly where you are now, brother.