Monthly Archives: September 2014

ONE: ONAGAWA IN HAWAII!

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three years ago when our WE ARE ONE team and i went to Onagawa, i thought it was the end of the world. it looked like there was a war. i was very depressed at this time wondering why mother nature did this to such a beautiful place.
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there was no life anywhere to be found. a totally flattened fishing village in rubble.
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they just started to clean up the place, 6 months after the tsunami.
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i remember seeing debris piled like mountains all over.
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but right around the corner, there was life. we went to this temporary housing and found a whole bunch of happy kids. seeing that made our team very very happy.
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then, Kiku-chan guided us to this apartment building. i remember it being very dark with no electricity. most people left but there was the Sato-san family that refused to leave. we unloaded donated things from our vans and took it up. i remember them being a very kind and appreciative family.
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we heard the stories. it was a time in my life where i tried to block out things so i wouldn’t break down. it was really a dark time in my life. but to see their smiles brought back the light.
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then a few nights ago while i was eating sushi in hawaii, something crazy happened.
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i posted this on my blog after i finished dinner. then Kiku-chan texted Matsu, then Matsu texed me. “hey kirby, we went to visit the Sato-san family in Onagawa after the tsunami! do you remember? Sato-san’s uni was the best in japan before the tsunami! it’s really hard to get because everything goes straight to tsukiji market in tokyo.”
OMG! now i totally remember the Sato-san family! i didn’t know they were a fisherman family. but now i do!!! and to have eaten the best uni in the world right here in hawaii from them was unbelievable! just another amazing story coming out of tohoku that gave me chicken skin. i learned so much from our missions to tohoku. i learned never to give up. i learned to be positive. i learned to give. and most importantly, i learned how to love.
To the Sato-san family, I am the happiest person in the world right now! It is like a dream come true to eat your delicious uni right here in hawaii! Keep on sending the world your precious uni, and keep on teaching the world never to give up!
We Are One!!!!

September 13, 2014 Hawaii Surf Report


Nature. Love it!
Good morning 5:30am.
North shore flat.
South shore still small but coming up. High surf advisory NOW! Ala Moana small at waist/chest high. But coming up tomorrow to solid 4′. No wind and super clean conditions.
Super sunny all day and all week.
Going surfing all day.
See you in the water!

Love Birds

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waking up early in the morning and jumping into the ocean before sunrise is amazing. it’s just you, friends, and the ocean! i can’t wait till the next dawn patrol.
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i don’t care what i’m riding anymore. as long as i’m riding a wave, i’m a happy surfer!
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i went to check diamond head this morning and 2 birds came to check out the waves with me. cool love birds.
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had a wonderful day 2 with the Iwata-san family. it’s their 7th time here and i’m stoked to take them to places they’ve seen for the first time. this view to me is the best view in the whole world!
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we surfed in the morning and everybody surfed much much better than yesterday. tomorrow will be day 3 and i’m sure things will only get better and better. i’m very happy to meet this very wonderful energetic surfer family.
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Noriko-san paddling out yesterday following a baby turtle. so cool!
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thank you to the Iwata-san family for the treats from japan. itadakimasu!