on Mission 2 way back in April 2011, we found this fishing village off the main road in oshika hanto, ishinomaki. it was one of the many villages that were totally destroyed. it was less than a month after the tsunami. but something was different here. we pulled up and seen a group of fisherman working from dusk to dawn cleaning up. with so much uncertainty, these men from Kobochihama were very determined to get things back to normal, with help from the government, or without help from the government. within that group of fishermen, we met Kimura-san. a person who lost more than you can ever imagine. i don’t want to go into that now because when ever i do, i start crying. anyway, each and every time we went back to Kobochihama, Kimura-san greeted us with a smile and warm welcome. we became friends ever since and he is now a part of my life. i think about this man every time and just by his smile, he gives me strength.

that was then, this is now. when i heard about Kimura-san’s new boat ceremony, i checked my calendar, adjusted my schedule, and made sure i wouldn’t miss something i always prayed for. it’s days like this i live for, and it’s days like this that make my life so complete. watching this big, strong, and solid brand new fishing boat pulling into Kobochihama harbor brought chicken skin and tears.

tears building up in my eyes that were hard to describe. if i won a million dollar lottery, i wouldn’t cry. if i won a world championship, i wouldn’t cry. if i came president of the united states, i wouldn’t cry. this was different. this was 3 years and 8 months of emotions all coming out in one moment. this was what i was waiting for, this was in my life “The Day!” all happiness, all smiles, and all joy. this is what We Are One was all about.

japan culture is amazing. so rich in colors, so rich in tradition, and so rich in meaning. i can’t read any of these flags, but i can tell it has enormous importance in what was happening at this moment.

and to see the other fishermen on the boat was amazing. other fisherman that probably don’t remember me, but i remember each one and each of their stories of that tragic day.

a very strong boat for a very strong man.

then seeing Kimura-san’s son on the side of him was a great moment.

it was zero degrees, it was snowing, it was freezing, but it was one of the warmest moments in my life.

three generations of the Kimura-san blood, sweat, and tears.
as we were leaving Kobochihama, Matsu said it best “Hey Kirby, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!” i almost cried then. i had to hold it in. but now, i don’t. tears of joy rolling down my face. love you all! We Are One.
Photos by: Matsu

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Hammer on Head?
Good morning 7am.
North shore 4-6′ and from the North direction.
Pipeline 2-4′ and junk. No Pipeline Masters. Try again Friday. South shore swell! 2-3′ and perfect off shore!
Bowls head high and going off!
Trade winds at 20-30mph.
Clouds, sun, showers, and rainbows.
I’m going surfing.
Have a wonderful day!

had an awesome time in tohoku. pulled up to sendai and it started to snow. it really made me happy because it felt like real christmas! so happy to see Kiku-chan! always smiling and always so kind. thank you Kiku-chan for letting us borrow your brand new car!

only 2 days in tohoku and very very busy. just on the go in the cold. got a chance to meet Kimura-san in kobochihama. his new boat is freaking amazing! going to post some photos after my hands warm up. but before i forget, i want to thank Matsu, Saito-san, Miwa-san, and Kanae-san for always being there for We Are One. it seems like a long time ago but the past 3 years and 8 months have been very emotional for me. thank you for always supporting me and for always being there for me. you guys are all very special and important in my life. life will go on, and so will our support for tohoku. We Are One!

car ride 2 hours to sendai, 1.5 hour flight to nagoya, 3 hour layover, 8 hour flight back to hawaii. a long way home but this trip was worth every single mile.

so happy to see so many japanese celebrating the christmas holidays! christmas lights can always brighten up a life.

wanted to congratulate Naoka for finishing the honolulu marathon today! all i have to say is “you are crazy!”

i’m always happy to be home. yes, i love to travel, but i also love coming home.

i caught more waves today than i caught on my whole trip to taiwan. haha. i was just a machine happy to be home.

and yes, the barrel is always what i’m looking for. i can’t believe the waves on the south shore came up this afternoon. some head high sets and super fun. lucky!

surfed to sunset. back to my normal life and work. i think i had enough play and trips for 2014. going to relax and enjoy the rest of this year. good night.