Gujarat Magazine

Oklahoma City, OK, USA – June 11, 2025 – A compelling new work of historical fiction, Huaka’i: The Voyager Book 1, plunges readers into the dramatic world of World War II, following the journey of a young man whose dream of solo circumnavigation is unexpectedly swept up in the global conflict. Drawing on meticulous research into wartime settings and naval operations, the book offers an intimate look at sacrifice, duty, and the unpredictable currents of fate.

The story introduces Bane Skiles, a 93-year-old man who recounts his extraordinary youth. The narrative then transports readers back to the early 1940s, beginning in the “sleepy little island” of Maui, Hawaii. Far from the modern tourist paradise, this is a Hawaii where sugar was paramount, and life moved at a different pace. Bane, inspired by Joshua Slocum’s historic voyage, harbors a deep-seated dream of sailing alone around the world, a dream he first conceived at the age of twelve.

A recent civil engineering graduate from the University of Hawaii, Bane’s family, including his father, Adam Skiles, who works for the major sugar company Alexander & Baldwin (A&B), supports his ambitious plans. A&B was the largest employer on Maui in 1940, owning vast tracts of land. Bane begins his preparations with a crucial test voyage to the remote Johnson Atoll.

However, the outbreak of World War II drastically alters Bane’s trajectory. While at sea, he makes a dramatic rescue in the Solomon Sea, pulling a young female pilot named April from the water after her plane was shot down by the Japanese. This pivotal event leads him to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for April to receive medical attention. From there, they sail together aboard his sailboat, Voyager, to Cairns, Australia, arriving around Christmas 1941.

In Cairns, a city for which the author utilized information from The Historical Society of Cairns North Queensland Inc. to describe its wartime existence, Bane finds unexpected support from April’s family, the hospitable Downs. With his original plans on hold and Voyager dry-docked for storage, Bane makes the momentous decision to enlist in the U.S. Navy in Australia.

His background in civil engineering quickly proves invaluable. Assigned to Commander Walker and working closely with Chief Dubose, Bane is tasked with researching and developing logistics requirements for PT boat bases and squadrons. This crucial work culminates in a detailed report that is sent to Navy headquarters. Recognizing his capabilities, Bane receives a field commission to Ensign in the U.S. Navy.

The narrative follows Bane to the Solomon Islands, where he joins Motor Patrol Boat Squadron 10 (Ron 10) in Tulagi. Here, under Commander Warbird and later Commander John E. Green, Bane undergoes rigorous training to become a PT boat officer, learning every role from mechanic to gunner. He is initially assigned to Boat 117 for training purposes. and later becomes the captain of PT Boat 165.

Huaka’i: The Voyager Book 1 delves into the harsh realities of the South Pacific theater, including dangerous patrols intercepting Japanese supply barges and facing the constant threat of enemy destroyers. Amidst the conflict, Bane grapples with personal loss, continuing to write letters to April after learning she is missing. He also experiences unsettling dreams or visions, including one of a dark-haired woman, adding a layer of mystique to his journey.

The book is noted by the author as historical fiction, weaving a personal story through historical events. While real PT boats and squadrons are mentioned, the crews and specific actions of certain boats, including the 165 and 173 (except for Bane’s training role on the 117), are fictionalized to allow the narrative to unfold without impacting the documented history of those vessels. The author acknowledges support from organizations like Sparkman & Stephen (for boat modeling information) and PT Boat Inc. (for PT boat details), highlighting the effort to ground the fiction in realistic elements.

Huaka’i: The Voyager Book 1 offers a powerful narrative about a young man’s coming-of-age amidst a world at war. It’s a story of shattered dreams giving way to unexpected purpose, courage in the face of overwhelming odds, and the enduring search for meaning and connection in a turbulent time.

About the Author

Dave VerValin attended Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. After a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1967-1969, Mr. VerValin continued his military career in the Indiana Air National Guard retiring at the rank of Major and Commander of the 122nd Civil Engineering Squadron. In his civilian life, Mr. VerValin was a construction project engineer for several large truck manufacturing companies retiring in 2013. Today Dave lives in Tipp City, Ohio with his wife Judy. He enjoys his family life with three children, two step children and nine grandchildren.

Contact: Gary Davis | [email protected] | (405) 953-8860 Ext. 104

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