Since becoming a mum my gratitude for the beach has increased tenfold. Ohhh my goodness, sand and water, who needs anything more? Hours of free play and fun for us both. Kainoa, my son, and I go to the ocean daily when possible which helps me stay stoked and present. I feel truly blessed that we have a connection to our wild and infinite Ocean. Surfing, exploring rock pools, sharing meals in the dunes, playing in the sand, gathering with friends, meeting new people, cleaning up our own and others' trash, making a stand for what we believe in, and much more happen in and around Mother Ocean and her gateways to the land.
Being immersed in our ocean is empowering as well as humbling. Strength comes from knowing ourselves and our ocean helps me know myself better each time I commune with her. Some days I get served on the sand head first, or get reef tattoos. Other days I’m gliding with the lightness of a dolphin high-fiving friends. All experiences lead to a deeper understanding of myself and my current limitations which helps me grow.
Peace and harmony are what I want to see and be in the world so that our Mother Earth and all her inhabitants can thrive. Being a plant-based vegan is a radical act of non-violence that is predicated on compassion, social justice and inclusivity. I think it's a brilliant way to be a peaceful changemaker, choosing to be vegan saves human and non-human animal lives, water and other natural resources daily.
I made the switch to being plant-based vegan a few weeks after my son was born. It made sense on every level, especially as a mother, as the dairy, egg and meat industries all exploit females and babies. My son and I are both thriving in health which is something people may not know is possible for a little one and a breastfeeding mama. A few things that helped me switch were educating myself about factory farming, animal products and the impact the animal industry has on our planet, on people in developing countries and of course on our selves. Once we have the information it’s in our hands to make choices that better help our planet, humans and all life here on Earth.
Civil rights activist, and author Maya Angelo said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Take it one step at a time, start by focusing on what you can do right now, start including more plants, watch a film on factory farming, ditch dairy, find out the truth about eggs, if you love cheese or other animal products drop everything but that thing you like so much, then slowly start to introduce alternatives. Your palate will change, your body will change, your life will change, and along the way you will make big changes in the world, every meal, every moment is an opportunity brave souls.
Pregnancy, Birth, and Divorce. All are massive life changing adventures and accomplishments to me. These stand out most in my life right now, aside from the more public adventures I have had though the South Pacific, Europe, India and Indonesia surfing, studying and creating.
I grew up in Wainae, Oahu, and in the Ka’u desert on the island of Hawaii for most of my life with my mother, Julia, and sister, Leilani. My studies in creative media brought me to Australia for postgraduate courses at UTS. After working in the documentary film industry I began creating and managing content as well as adventuring. Fast forward to Kainoa, my son, whom is now 2 1/2 years old. I care for him full time, am renovating a 1971 caravan named Roxy and manage creative projects in-between.
