Aloha kakahiaka e na hoaloha a pau,
As we enter another great weekend on Maui we want everyone to truly enjoy their time outdoors, with family and friends, and without injury or harm.
For many of us, exploring our new home on Maui means getting out and discovering the wonders of our beaches and our uplands.
A short word of safety:
Our beaches are gorgeous, majestic, and deadly if you aren’t careful. Locals and visitors alike can succumb to the ocean’s power and care must be taken when enjoying the beach.
Here is a link to some great safety advice regarding the ocean, http://oceansafety.soest.
There is one safe place…on the beach out of the reach of the highest waves. When arriving on a beach take a couple minutes to observe (employe that “L” and “E” from LEAD the way…LOOK and EVALUATE) before deciding where to put your things. Watch for where the waves crash and how high up the beach they go.
Waves come in sets followed by lulls where the ocean will look calm and pleasant.
Do not be lulled into a false sense of security, there are more waves coming.
If you want to “hangout” in the water the safest location is PAST the breaking waves in deeper water. Entering and exiting the ocean should be done calmly, with a sense of urgency, and most importantly…never turn your back on the ocean!
The MOST dangerous place is where the ocean meets the sand and the waves are breaking. Waves carry massive force and will hurt you if you aren’t careful.
8-10 people break or fracture their necks or backs at Oneloa (Makena-Big Beach) a month!
Beware of rip currents, places along a shoreline where the wave action creates a current that will drag you away from the shore and out into deep water.
Do not fight a rip current by trying to swing directly in to shore, instead remain calm and let it carry you out while treading water and swimming diagonally or parallel to the shoreline.
Above all, remember the lifeguard favorite saying…When In Doubt, Don’t Go Out!
And, don’t be afraid to ask a lifeguard or a local for pointers about entering the water. Each beach is different and has unknown hazards like underwater rocks, ledges and shelfs, undercurrents, rips, and reef.
A note on bodysurfing: bodysurfers (and surfers) travel parallel to the wave, turning either left or right to slide along the face of the wave, and do not face directly in towards the shore. Be aware of people bodysurfing near you and follow common etiquette. If there is someone “behind” you on the wave, meaning closer to the “peak” of the wave where it first begins to break they have the “right of way”. If you take off in front of them, they will run you over. This is akin to cutting someone off in traffic who is travelling at a higher rate of speed by cutting into their lane. Many people can be on the same wave if spaced appropriately and bodysurfing can be one of the most enjoyable and accessible ocean sports when done correctly..but you don’t learn in a day.
Next episode, I’ll talk about accessing our uplands and general safety tips for hiking, waterfalls, and things like that.
My love and aloha to each and every one of you. Our Hawaiian proverb, Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai—Aloha given, aloha returned applies not only to people but to our ocean and mountains as well. Show the ocean respect and she in turn will give you many beautiful and exhilarating days.
Me ke aloha,
Kainoa Horcajo
Hawaiian Cultural Director
The “root” of the word `ohana is `ohā.
`Ohā are the younger corms of the taro plant that grow off of the main plant, just as we grow from our parents.
I maika’I ke kalo I ka ‘oha
The goodness of the taro is judged by the young it produces.
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