Page 5 - MidWeek West - March 30, 2022

been the only one counting because I was the last one in the water. I made sure I got my 10.”
cus is to provide a nurtur- ing environment in which keiki can absorb concepts that echo what DeSoto learned growing up: the importance of having an abundant respect for the ocean, while remaining
rooted in Hawaiian values. Nā Kama Kai means “children of the sea” in Ha- waiian. It emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s kuleana to be a care- taker of the ocean. For Nā Kama Kai, nurturing the ocean creates a process that
Brazil. It also brings water professionals to teach at clinics.
Founded in 2018, its fo-
results in nurturing oneself. “We want to empower youth by connecting them to the land and to the ocean, to create a deeper sense of love and responsibility, for themselves and for the natural environment,” says
To that end, the potential to thrive with the right re- sources as a child is some- thing DeSoto believes in, particularly because of his own journey.
MARCH 30, 2022 5
Fast forward to today, DeSoto is the co-founder of nonprofit Nā Kama Kai.
Coming up, check out Westside clinics at Pōka‘ī Bay (April 10) and ‘Ewa Beach (May 8). For the former, registration opened March 27 for five start times between 9 and 11 a.m.
DeSoto.
The organization runs
“Mākaha is a beauti- ful place, yet rough in so many ways. I grew up in a safe and empowering place to explore surfing for the first time. I was fortunate enough to where my fam- ily knew the whole beach, and it was a community,” remembers DeSoto.
monthly clinics that cov- er topics like ocean safety and beach cleanups, and provide an experience that is curated and safe for all. Programs are created for kids ages 2-18. It operates mainly on O‘ahu, with occasional international clinics, like in Tahiti and
For more information about Nā Kama Kai, visit nakamakai.org.
(Above and left) Nā Kama Kai will hold ocean clinics for ages 2-18 at Pōka‘ī Bay and ‘Ewa Beach in the coming months. PHOTOS COURTESY NĀ KAMA KAI
covid questions?
Click or call for answers.
• HawaiiCovid19.com
• O‘ahu Hotline: 808-586-8332 • Toll-free: 833-711-0645
A message from the Hawai‘i State Department of Health.
NOTICE OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING Proposed Project on O‘ahu
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Date:
Time:
Format: Microsoft Teams online meeting (w/ Q&A)
Hawaiian Electric will hold a virtual meeting on a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to be located at the company’s existing West Loch Solar facility in ‘Ewa Beach. The project is a significant part of Hawaiian Electric’s plans to improve grid reliability by providing needed generation reserve margins.
We invite those who live in the ‘Ewa Beach community and all interested parties to watch or join in:
• View the livestream on Facebook: facebook.com/HawaiianElectric.
• Join the virtual meeting at: hawaiianelectric.com/westlochbess. Scroll to Community Outreach, Virtual Community Meeting, and click on “Join the Meeting.” Participants can only register on the meeting day. To join by phone, dial 1-808-913-5536 and enter meeting code 189755192#.
Questions and comments are being accepted until April 22, 2022 at community@hawaiianelectric.com.
6:30 pm
For more information, visit hawaiianelectric.com/westlochbess.