In its 25th year, Keiki Surf for the Earth is teaching keiki to malama the ‘aina in a surf competition that has no losers.
Over 160 keiki and their ohana came together this past weekend at Kohanaiki in West Hawaii for a two-day celebration of surf and love for the ocean and land.
The annual celebration by the Kohanaiki ‘Ohana brought scores of families together for the event, where competition was not the focus.
“We wanted the community to be good stewards of the beach,” said founding member Karen Eoff.
She recounted the days back in the 1990s when there was a proposal to put in a large resort and marina in the area, and her activism, along with others in the community, helped to prevent that from happening.
Eventually, the organization established the Keiki Surf competition to keep the community engaged.
Based on the turnout for this year’s competition, the strategy has worked.
Most of the keiki participating were second-, third- and fourth-generation surfers.
“This contest isn’t about who is the best surfer,” said Hawaii County Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas, who participated in the event for decades. ”This is about taking care of the ‘aina.”
The family-friendly event encouraged people to camp at Kohanaiki and to clean up the areas around their campsites, teaching keiki to be good stewards of the land.
In addition, the youth painted new signs promoting stewardship that will be displayed along the roadway, participated in fun and games, and were treated to dinner and entertainment.
“This is what community is all about,” said Villegas, ” It’s not about competition. It’s just about being here for our keiki, our moopuna, their moopuna, and so forth. This place perpetuates aloha.”