News & Events Contest Results Boys 7-9 1) Diesel Butts 2) Kepo’inalu Alameda 3) La’akea Waipa Boys 10-13 1) Keoni Agpoon 2) Honu Longley Ka’aumoana 3) Kana’ipono Eckart
Pila
Boys 14-18 1) Shayden Pacarro 2) Ulu Napeahi 3) Kealakahi Spain
Third Annual Waiuli Ocean Festival Photos & Story by Shawn Pila The Waiuli Ohana, Kama’aha Education Initiative and Keaholoa STEM Program held their third Annual Waiuli Ocean Festival in December at Richardson’s Beach in Keaukaha. The family-friendly, drug and alcohol-free event focused on ocean awareness, environmental stewardship, community building and healthy living. Event goers were greeted with heart-warming hugs and a playful 2-3 foot northwest wrap, making it a great day for the whole family. “The event turned out to be absolutely beautiful,” said event coordinator Alana Ortiz. “And for some reason there always seems to be waves for the kids and awesome weather!” Little surfers and boogie boarders took over the line-up and shared waves in a keiki surf contest, followed by an ‘ohana tandem surf competition and the muchanticipated exhibition round. 16year old Shayden Pacarro threw out a few tasty turns, winning the Boys 14-18 Division. All finalists earned a handcrafted koa wood trophy, a prize package full of goodies, and a native Hawaiian plant to take home. A keiki bamboo-pole fishing tournament and rough-water swim were some of the many highlights, along with live music, ono Hawaiian food and interactive marine and science activities. At the end of the day each kid walked away with a Team Waiuli trucker hat and a huge smile.
Girls 7-9 1) Ilikea Kamalani 2) Rain Baldado Saffery 3) Aysia-Lee Jaquias Girls 10-13 1) Makakapu Ioane 2) Mehana Kamalani 3) Kaiao Shine Girls 14-18 1) Margo Napeahi 2) Jade Steele 3) Kahele Joaquin Ohana Division 1) Ulu Napeahi & Kahanamoku 2) Jason Baldado & Rain Baldado 3) Kalae O’Shaughnessy & Masau Lee Exhibition Round 1) Sean Oblero Rough Water Swim and Run 1) Makakapu Ioane Holoholo Fish Tournament 1) Boys (Most Fish) – Diesel Butts Girls (Most Fish) 1) Aysia-Lee Jaquias Boys (Largest Fish) 1) Kamakani Pihana Girls (Largest Fish) 1) Ka’opua Puniwai Ganoot