On Saturday, 28. 2008, the annual Na Wahine O Ke Kai graced Hawaii with its presence. At the finish line in Waikiki, helicopters soared above to capture pictures of the paddlers, whose faces shown with exhaustion and excitement. Their paddles entered the cool water for their last times as the paddlers made their final strokes bringing them onto shore. As they stepped onto the warm sand, they were greeted with dancing and cheering.
The sun was bright, but the smiles of Halau Iolani were even brighter. The glistening of the clear, blue water was no match for the sparkle in each dancer's eyes. As the lively Hawaiian music played, both the dancers and the waves gracefully swayed to the rich sounds. In the background, cheers filled the beach as families, fans, and tourists shared the overwhelming spirit of Aloha. The culture was alive!
By Aly Ochiai '09
