Letters | 5-28-15

Mahalo for supporting keiki surf contest

The 20th annual Keiki Surf for the Earth contest for kids younger than 14 was a roaring success. The event held May 16 and 17 featured 120 entrants. The contestants were treated with T-shirts and stainless steel water bottles to commemorate the event. All participants received an award.

This contest was started 20 years ago by some regular “Pine Trees” beachgoers and their families. The Rev. Leon Sterling was among those founders and was honored on this 20th anniversary for his spiritual and intellectual guidance and cultural teaching. His award was accepted by Maluihi Lee. An award to Ms. Lee was also given for her historical contributions. All gounders were honored for their dedication and continual hard work in keeping this event alive and supporting this area as a keiki beach. Although there are many people who have been instrumental in keeping the beach event a success, it has been the love and desire to keep the beach designated as a “Keiki Beach” that has made it so successful.

Our thanks goes out to all the Kohanaiki Ohana who have promoted and coordinated this event throughout the past 20 years, and appreciation for the future generations to continue the legacy. Surfrider Foundation led the keiki in a beach cleanup and provided educational information about taking care of the land and the ocean we love so much. Kohanaiki Shores provided dinner for the entrants and their families as well as a big tent on the beach for shade.

Kohanaiki Beach is a family place and after many years of advocating to keep it that way, it is now officially a county beach park. We have been blessed to have a partnership with the adjoining landowners, the community and the county who share our enthusiasm in protecting it and keeping it a family place.

The kids and the whole community look forward to this annual event and everyone is very cooperative and filled with good sportsmanship. It is wonderful to see the kids enjoy this event with their families, and also to see those who have passed the age limit, participate in helping to run the event.

The event includes body board, short board and long board, a tandem event and this year, a new floating event, which brought many smiles and much laughter as we watched the kids on the inner tube type devices shaped like slippers, dragons, mattresses and other items, having a blast catching waves in the bay on these non-traditional wave catchers. It was difficult to retrieve the kids from the water, as they truly love the ocean and they want to stay out and catch “just one more wave.”

Thanks to everyone for making this event so wonderful.

Thanks to the county for taking away the trash, which we gathered in one area to make it easier. Thanks for allowing the two-day camping for so many people. Thanks to the keiki for their enthusiasm. Thanks for keeping it a keiki beach.

We have seen many changes and fought long and hard to keep this beach area free of a big hotel and/or marina. We miss the old days, but we are content that what we have is here for the keiki. Please continue to take care of the beach and the ocean so your children and grandchildren and more can enjoy it for years to come.

As Uncle Leon always reminded us, “E malamai ka aina … E malama ke kai … Aloha Kekahi I Kekahi.” Take care of the land, take care of the ocean and take care and love one another.

Beverly Behasa

Kailua-Kona