We are certainly Surfing Into Summer here at the end of May. The weather has gone from being kinda cold for Hawaii to hot. I always know when it gets hot because my Tasmainian husband joins my dog on the floor next to the AC. We had some really bad vog this month and it is really oppressive giving people asthma, hives, headaches joint pain and even nausea. It comes with the more southerly winds and leaves with the trades, but it is so strong that I think it is actually leaving sort of a film on the ground to keep allergy victims in a bit of a vicious cycle. I have even heard that high number of equestrian accidents have occurred this month and many think that it is the result of the vog registering to the horse as fire. Sometimes you can taste the ash on your tongue.
The month started out hopeful as we watched the guys in Tahiti score a killer tow session right during the trials event for Teahupoo. Garrett, Stearls and Jamie O scored some sick tubes and we got ready for the south shore to throw down. I guess the majority of the solid SW swell turned and missed us to the east. We still got some fun waves, maybe even a couple 6 footers, but since we had all built it up in our heads that it was gonna be 8 foot and closing out the channel, we were a bit let down. Nobody refrained from joining in on the action however, the biggest days brought, Kekoa Cazimero, Kahea Hart, Buttons and others joined in a session with all the bowls boys Mike Akima, Dewayne, Ronnie Boy, Davey Boy and more. Other than than the waves havent been epic but we have had enough surf to keep us in the water for most of the month so we are not complaining.
Basically it has been a mix of town and country swells that last for a good long time in the 2 ft range with a few bigger days here and there. Country actually even got up to 6 ft on a couple days, but conditions were poor and the swells, disorganized. I guess one other south swell hit the Big Island head on with some 6 foot waves but kinda missed the rest of us who only got about 4 feet.
The DNLR presented a proposal to the community offering 300 out of the 1000 free parking stall and affordable paid parking at about 25 cents an hour. The proposal atleast offered a compromise for our protest, but still, in my opinion privatization is just a step in the wrong direction for Hawaii residents. Thanks to Melissa Ling-Ing, all the organizations who worked with her, and all the people who came out to testify, we were somewhat victorious in saving the Ala Wai Harbor.
Jaime O'Brien earned the wildcard for the WCT event at Teahupoo, but was said to have lost to Kelly Slater in 3-5 foot waves due to tactical errors. Jesse Merle Jones won the Koastalkaos Pro in Oceanside. Bonga Perkins made semifinals at the pro longboarding event in Australia. Mark Heally is back in the water after his injury at Pipe a few months ago and Fred Pittachia is also back in contests getting some good results. Jeannie Chesser is surfing as good as ever and looking great!
The Local Motion Surf into Summer kicked off Memorial Day weekend in Hawaii which is always a fun event for everyone with a lot of Aloha. There are so many father-son, father-daughter and family entries I am surprized they don't have an Ohana division already.
The contest coincides with a weekend of festivities which starts on Sunday morning at the National Cementary of the Pacific downtown Honolulu and ends at Magic Island with an incredible lantern floating ceremony. The festivities lead by Shinnyo-en Hawaii and Na Lei Foundation included Hawaii musicians, Hula dancers, an amazing Taiko drum band, and the invocation of Archbishop Shinso Ito. Her message of hope focused on peace, unity and understanding through the spirit of Aloha. Shinso joined with governor Linda Lingle and other state officials to ignite the torch and set out the first lantern. This traditional Japanese Buddhist custom was originally performed to pay respect to ancestors and comfort the spirit of souls passed. Today in Hawaii, it crosses cultural barriers to pay tribute to war heros and family members lost in natural disasters. They estimated 30,000 people at the event which covered a long stretch of Ala Moana Beach Park to cast out nearly 1000 lanterns. It was one of those times where you wish everyone in the world could see the magic of our islands.
Also in the memorial day mix Brian Keaulana gave a SUP camp, opening up a fair range of boards and equipment for the public to try out. The camp lasted throughout the 3 day weekend on the Northshore which was absolutely beautiful conditions for learning stand up paddle.
There were plenty of parties and entertainment as well over Memorial Day weekend. Kathy Griffin did her comedy routine at the Shell, there was a DJ party on Saturday at the Wyland Hotel pool bar, Tempo Valley played at Jazz minds. Heavy Water Magazine through a killer benefit party at Gordon & Biersch which was set up in conjunction with Surf Into Summer. Sick Records had their one year anniversary at Lotus the week before. DJ Z-Trip played at Next Door earlier in the month and Q-Bert will be in town next week. Kid Robot collaborated with Dig Lifestyles for the store's 3 year anniversary party and the release of East 3's new toy.
A new movie called The Reef is filming here in Hawaii and Forgetting Sarah Marshall is out in theaters and said to be doing quite well. It is my understanding that the film's focus is on Hawaii's annexation.
Local boy, Barrack Obama now has a decisive lead to be the democratic nominee.
Finally, Mandi Caruso passed on this month. Mandi joined us on the Northshore and picked up surfing late in life as a method of healing from her double macetomy. She beat all the odds until the cancer finally caught up to her again in the form of spinal cancer. Mandi reminded us all of the true beauty of surfing and we will never forget!! R.I.P. Mandi
