I had a very early morning shoot at Ka'a'awa today. It's always tricky for me to get up at 5am in the morning however, IT IS SOOOO WORTH IT!!! The early morning light and calm weather made for ideal shooting conditions.
After my shoot I decided to take full advantage of 1) being awake that early and 2) the gorgeous weather.
With Na'u's encouragement, we decided to take a walk at Kualoa Beach Park.
Because of the morning sun, Na'u didn't waste any time getting into the water.
It's hard being a black Lab in the sun! She's such a smart girl!
When you're in a serene and peaceful place with no one else around you, it's easier to be still. I love these times to "just be..." It's an opportune time to give thanks and really take in what I've been blessed with...
As I walked along the sandy shore, I was totally appalled at the pieces of glass that I found scattered all over the sand. I LOVE shooting at our island's beaches. However, the trash and especially glass debris from broken beer and liquor bottles that I find are a DISGRACE!!! Not to mention dangerous!
So I started to pick them up one by one as I continued to walk. In my mind I thought about my sister, Daisy, and how she's instilled in her children at a very young age, that every time they go to the beach they're to bring a bag with them and pick up at least 10 pieces of trash.
In 30 minutes I had collected a handful of trash glass.
Some pieces were worn down and their edges rounded from being tossed around in the ocean. Others were still sharp - a piece I'm sure you would never want embedded into your foot! Or causing harm to an unsuspecting toddler enjoying their day in the sun!!!
I walked on for several minutes collecting and asking for Ke Akua's forgiveness for the way our aina is treated...
At the end of my walk, I collected more than my child-like hands could hold. I resorted to using my shirt to hold what I had accumulated.
I even picked up two tetanus beer caps and a cool plastic shovel which I will clean and give to my nephew for future beach outings.
Our islands are so special!!! It is our kuleana to get out of ourselves and think more about what kind of impact our action makes on this land and on each other!!!
Today I've committed to picking up any kind of debris whenever I'm out shooting or playing at our beaches. It is a
privilege to live here. These islands give so much to us and we must do our part to respect and take care of her!!! If this Commitment isn't on the
Kanu Hawai'i site, I'm definitely adding it on!!!
PS I also came across this HUMUNGOUS piece of melted rubber that washed up on to shore!!! I suspect they're melted tires from the Marine Corps Base. This thing was huge!!!! Approximately 4 cubic feet. This would definitely NOT fit in my shirt to haul away.