HANALEI — A rainbow hovered over Hanalei Pier at Black Pot Beach Park as nearly 400 people gathered for a peaceful paddle-out memorializing those killed by police brutality and other racial violence.
People on surfboards, paddleboards, canoes, bodyboards and other flotation devices flocked to the water, creating a circle outside Hanalei Pier. Together, they prayed and released lei and flowers into the waters.
The hour-long service that began on-shore, organized by North Shore resident Nancy Williams, came about because she was tired of being at home and wanted a way to express her grief and sadness with others as the nation and world protests.
She used this event as a way to raise awareness and memorialize victims of violence, including George Floyd, a black man killed in police custody after having his neck pinned to the ground by the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer for nearly nine minutes.
Gatherers brought surfboards with phrases like “Black Lives Matter” and “Justice,” and artwork featuring Floyd written or taped to the boards.
Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck joined the service, sharing that the last two weeks been an “emotional rollercoaster.” As a white man, he said he cannot know the pain people of color are feeling at this time, but as an officer, he feels “pain, anger and frustration” seeing those in uniform use excessive force.
“Today has to be about the greater disease of racism,” he said, urging listeners to listen and empathize with one another.
Mickey LaVarne and Cali MacMillian, mother and daughter and Wailua residents, brought out their bright-yellow boat.
“We’re glad to be out here for such a good purpose to support the Black Lives Matter,” LaVarne said.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
