Malama Honua milestone anniversary:
During the 1776 Bicentennial 50 years ago, Hokule’a set sail on her maiden voyage to Pape’ete, Tahiti

Hokule’a at Waimea, opening Eddie ceremony: ‘Eddie Would Go’ competition honoring Eddie Aikau

My last day on Kauai n 2013, I went up to my very favorite place, Hanalei Bay, and there I saw two people diving off what I called in my head ’a plastic boat’. I walked up the pier to get a closer look it wasn’t moored like the usual private boats and it was a very odd shape! As I stood there wondering what these two young individuals were up to, I looked down in the water I saw the most beautiful sea turtle. It felt momentous, I felt so lucky having never seen a sea turtle in the bay. A young Hawaiian boy kept yelling to his uncle about the honu and it made me smile so huge. I went home to nyc with that sea turtle experience close to my heart.

A journal entry from Kauai dated 1/19/11:

“I woke up this morning after another long night of fitful sleep and strange dreams. so many people, so much happening, i was so exhausted, it was a relief to get up. but i sat out on the lanai, watching the ocean, enjoying a really good cup of strong coffee when there he was, a sea turtle swimming. my friend pointed the little guy out. At first i didn’t believe, but then i could see his head bobbing up out of the water, all silly, just like the turtle does. oh my heart leaped!
What is it about the sea turtle that does that. I have been wearing my turtle necklace now, my it’s been years since that trip to the Caribbean where we went swimming and the gigantic sea turtle swam up to my face and looked me in the eye. i burst into tears under water. since that day... it’s been a big goofy lovefest when it comes to those funny animal spirits :) sat out there for a long time, the sun wasn’t shining only far out on the ocean so the clouds and lights and pinks like a beautiful baby’s blanket, smiled all morning. usually the clouds go on to change from moment to moment, but not today, those sparkly colors stayed long into the morning.“🏝️🐢💕

A year later, I would be on the more famous North Shore of Oahu, staying at Pupukea overlooking Waimea Bay. I hiked down the day of the opening ceremony for Eddie and there she was, ‘the plastic boat’. My mind was playing tricks on me. Throughout the day, I became aware for the first time of the extended Aikau family and Nanoa Thompson and Hokule’a and what this surfing competition actually meant. That incredible moment opened a journey for me to the Star Hokule’a, its significance for me personally, and the honoring of the Worldwide Voyage Hokule’a was about to embark on. It was also the year my father had passed away and my childhood best friend within months of each other so I had planned to do a ceremony for them in Waimea Valley. The significance of that choice became clear to me only while on the journey. It was one of the most special experiences I have ever had.
And that year’s Eddie Would Go competition opening ceremony was even more special, with the focus turning to the native Hawaiian surfing culture and the honoring of that legacy. Nothing felt more important to me than that day and all that it held for the Hawaiian Islands, the history and the future of humanity and my own father.