JENNIFER KALAULI FROM P.33
How do you prepare for a dive competition? I don’t…I don’t really care for competitions unless it’s to help raise conservation awareness for our ocean resources.” Uncle Sonny Tanabe and Donna Kahakui (Kai Makana) are some of my role models in this area. Is there any hardship you deal with being a wahine diver? Not anymore. When I first started out, it was hard to get people to want to take me out. I think it is a natural instinct that women have to nourish and feed so I’m just following my God given instincts. What would it take to keep you out of the water? DEATH…ha-ha, but even then you better throw my ashes in the water! So I guess really that will never happen. You know me, I go crazy when I can’t be in the ocean, I gotta either jump in the bathtub or the fish box. Do you have a favorite fish? To eat or to look at? Both. My most favorite fish to look at is the Omilu, because of their translucent blues and greens, also the Ulua!!! My most favorite fish to eat is to deep fried Aweoweo with chili pepper water, Hawaiian salt and Limukohu on the side. Where was the greatest spot you’ve ever dived? I love em ALL! Through out all the places in the South Pacific I have dived my most favorite place is the east side of the Big Island. There is no place like home.
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Do you look up to anybody in the diving family? I look up to Kyle Nakamoto, producer of the Hawaii Skin Diver TV Show. Every time I go on a trip with Kyle he amazes me. He is quieter than any man I know, he can hold his breath longer than any diver I know. He’ll say, “Look over there, or point and it’ll take me at least 30 seconds before I can focus on what he’s looking at. And I have good eye sight under water. He’s just phenomenal and he has probably gotten closest to the biggest fish known to man. But above all he loves the Lord and dedicates his diving show to the apostle Paul; the walk that Paul made when he was here on earth, by naming their (wife Kathy included) company Red Sea Ocean Adventures.
It’s all about ohana for aunty Jenn.
Is there anything you want to add Mom? Just that I look forward to you and your brother catching me some Kole, and don’t forget to pick me some Limukohu as well. Always ask permission before entering the water. If you’re diving to sell your fish be aware that the fish you sell today is one less fish for tomorrows future. And just to remind all the young people that might think I’m something special. Please don’t say to me, “aunty Jenn you da bomb!” It is not about me! I am just living proof that my lord and savior Jesus Christ exists. Through his good works in me I have been able to not live in fear, to go out diving by myself. This is so freeing and a pure blessing! God came to me and said let’s go. So I went! I just got in the water, closed my eyes and opened my arms and surrendered all reverence on to the Lord. This is purely God’s doing. I am fortunate to pull His stringer for Him. We do not own anything we are asked to be thoughtful caretakers of these gifts that God has given us. Thank you my beautiful daughter for taking the time to do this interview. And thank you to all the young people who sent us your great pictures, you are all my inspiration. PAU