Port’s Poire sets sail in race to Hawaii

His passion for sailing started when his family bought a boat and sailed on local lakes.

On his latest sailing adventure, Joe Poire took a sail boat from Los Angeles to Oahu, Hawaii.

“At every level, there’s racing,” he said.

The executive director of the Port of Whitman County was aboard a 50-foot racing sail boat named “Grins” on a 2,600-mile race to Hawaii with 10 other men.

“I’ve got the perfect way to lose 11 pounds in eight days,” he said.

The boat was strictly made for racing. Poire said it was 111 degrees below deck, with bare canvas strung among bunk racks for sleeping quarters. Anyth...