A surfer on Lake Tahoe...

On my last trip to Lake Tahoe I met with about 1,000 other business owners from around the world. After about 10 days of meetings I took a break and walked out to the pier. The water was so glassy that I had to go in it. I figured nobody would notice me slip outa my dress clothes and go swimming in my BBD’s. Just as I took off my pants a guy came cruzing by on a paddle board.

I asked him

“Brah, Please, Can I borrow that? I’m a surfer who hasen’t been on the water in 10 days.” He said “Sure” , but you can put your pants back on. If you don’t fall you won’t even get wet.”

So I put on my pants and rolled up the legs JNK of E (Just In Case of Emergency).

Luckily, I had tried this stand up paddle stuff once before…(I had fallen so many times.)

As I paddled out into the horizon and looked back at the pier and the Hyatt Conference rooms, I had a big smile!

I was on the water in the middle of Lake Tahoe. It was beautiful. The mountains had snow and the sky was sunny. The water was so clear that I could see the bottom. It must’ve been seventy feet deep! I even saw a flounder on the bottom. (He gave me side eye!)

Then I started to think…”What would happen if I fell in? The water was freezing. Would I freeze before I could paddle back? I looked down and the board started to wobble. Composing my balance I set my sights back to the pier and made it back there. A woman took these pictures as I gave the triumphant petroglypf paddler stance. It reminded me of the time Mark Peleholani and I paddled back to Kure atoll from Beyond the Hawaiian archepelego. But that’s another story…

17th Annual Celebration of the Arts at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua

At the artists reception I realized the magnitude of giving that I was in the midst of. In a time when it seems the most difficult to spend, the Ritz Carlton gave without reservation to their community, artists, and guests. As artists it seemed the biggest concentration of appreciation we felt all year.

At the ‘awa ceremony I was reminded of why I do what I do. After a whirlwind of traveling and teaching I landed here, on this lauhala matt, about to receive a communion.
Before drinking the coconut bowl of ‘awa, I renewed my commitment to nurture the oneness of God, Man, Earth, Elements, Plants and Animals.

The Hiuwai ceremony in the ocean at sunrise was a wonderful cleansing in preparation of giving. I’m not sure if I it was supposed to be a body surfing session, but, oh well… “SETs”!

Being amongst such a rich caliber of artisans from across the state was a great privilege. Mahalo Nui to Kerry Gogan, Jaclyn Bloom and those who asked Clifford Nae’ole to invite me. Clifford is the cultural consultant and event coordinator loved for his tireless effort and giving nature. He is the powerhouse behind this prestigious event; Pure Aloha.

I enjoyed the company of Nature Conservancy’s Sam Gon, Musician Henry Kapono, Hoku winning group Maunalua, pa’u drum maker Keoni Turalde , My Hero Artists George Allen and Betty Hayes Freeland, Super Beautiful story telling artist Radha, Ritz Carlton’s general manager Thomas Donovan, and so many more.

The highlight for me was meeting, painting and teaching. That is what I am happy doing. Children and adults blessed my booth with their drawings and paintings of nature. Several students contributed to the creation of the painting “Ocean Aloha”.
This was done in the theme of “Lucky we Live Hawaii”.

Amazing teacher=Amazing Students!

Recent Student Work!

Mai Migita from Tokyo, Japan's 1st art class ever!