Still riding the high from Chamorro Day in Washington — and man, what an experience. I flew out from Guam, long flight and all, and as soon as I landed in Seattle, I was ready to go. Weather was perfect, green everywhere, sun was out the day before — and when we pulled up to the venue to set up, the vibe was already on point.
Guma’ Imahe, yo — you guys crushed it. From the hospitality to the setup to just making everyone feel welcome, you all carried that real island energy the whole time. True Chamorro work ethic behind the scenes — and I saw it, I felt it, and I’m grateful for it.
What made this event so special for me personally and culturally… was seeing just how many people from the Marianas were there. Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Rota — plus a ton of Pacific Islanders showing love. It honestly felt like I was back home.
Funny thing — that morning it was raining. I was lowkey worried nobody was gonna show up. But nah, the Chamorro people came through heavy. Over 6,000 people rolled in. I was blown away. The love was real. You heard the accent everywhere, saw the jewelry, the sinahis, the spondylus — it hit deep. Gave me goosebumps.
I brought out my Blades By Crank collection — some limited-edition pieces, some that haven’t even dropped online yet. And what made it so cool was seeing how proud people were to see something that represented our culture, in a blade. There was this real connection between the blades and the culture, and I’m so grateful I got to share that with everyone.
For me, these knives are more than just sharp. They carry our history, our stories, our soul. Whether it’s ancient Chamorro pottery designs, pre-latte art, or even just that feeling of prepping food with your Nana or mom or uncle in the kitchen — I want that energy in every blade.
The idea really came from my sharpening days. I’d have people drop off their great grandma’s knives or their papa’s machete, and I’d be thinking: How many mouths did this knife feed? That’s the level I’m trying to hit with every product I make. Real heirloom stuff. Blades that tell stories.
To Guma’ Imahe — Si Yu’us Ma’åse from the bottom of my heart. You all made this happen. The hard work behind the scenes, the hours, the love you put into every part of the event — you brought our people together and gave us a space to celebrate who we are.
And to the whole PNW Chamorro community — much love. Being out there reminded me how proud you all are to represent the islands. Sometimes, when you’re living back home, you take things for granted. But when you’re stateside, far from the Marianas, you really feel the culture. And I felt that.
If you missed this year, I highly recommend coming next year — or checking out other Chamorro events in the U.S. It’s worth it. The language, the food, the people — it’s like a mini Marianas in every way.
And as always…
Stay SHINARP.
Not just with your knives, but with your mindset, your spirit, and your mission. Be sharp in how you move through life. Be ready for anything. That’s what our people have always done.
– Frank “The Crank” Camacho
🇬🇺🔪 Blades By Crank