Live auction piece by local artist Heather Brown
This past weekend the Surfrider Foundation’s Oahu Chapter held its 9th Annual John Kelly Environmental Achievement Awards on the North Shore at Waimea Valley. I am proud to be involved in organizing this fun event that honors environmental leaders who follow in the footsteps of pioneer surf environmentalist John Kelly. Kelly started the grassroots group Save Our Surf in the 1960’s (Surfrider’s predecessor in many ways) that was responsible for protecting the coastlines from destructive development and saving hundreds of surf spots in the islands. I recently wrote an article about Kelly for Green Magazine, which I’ll be sure to post when it’s published. Attempting to fit his life and accomplishments into eight hundred words was challenging to say the least. There is no question that Oahu’s beaches and coastlines would look much different today if it weren’t for John Kelly. He is a true inspiration and I’m happy we have this special night to honor him and keep his legacy alive.
Along with the awards ceremony there is a silent auction, dinner and live music. It’s always a wonderful evening and this year was no exception. Here are some highlights.
This year’s award winners were:
Cora Sanchez – Lifetime Achievement Award for her efforts in helping to create the Pūpūkea-Waimea Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD). Cora was also a co-founder of Surfrider’s Oahu Chapter (along with former winner Peter Cole) and the Friends of Shark’s Cove. She has worked tirelessly to help protect the North Shore’s coastlines and “Keep the Country Country!”
Kyle Thiermann Professional Surfer Award for creating a five-part video series, Surfing for Change, to encourage individuals to change their life habits to help save the environment. Kyle’s video “Where Is Away? Solving Plastic Pollution in 4 Minutes” shows how wasteful and destructive single-use plastics are to the marine environment and encourages people to bring their own reusable bags and bottles.
The Kona Brewing Company – Environmentally Friendly Hawaii-Based Company Award for their role in promoting sustainable practices at all their facilities and advocating for coastal preservation. The company helps organize the Kona Brewers Festival, which raises money for educational, environmental and cultural organizations. Along with installing solar and using recycled building materials at their facilities, Kona Brewing Company continues to support local efforts to protect beaches and coastlines across Hawaii. My friend Sheila wrote a great article about Kona’s green practices in Honolulu Magazine here.
For the second year in a row, musician Jack Johnson performed a surprise set that included ‘Better Together’ and his own version of ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.’ A little cutie named Audrey took to the dance floor for her own solo performance during a song; it was pretty adorable. I shot a short video here. Jack and his recording company Brushfire Records were John Kelly award winners in 2005 and we are grateful for their support every year.
Marine life artist Wyland, most well known for his 100 whaling walls around the world also attended this year. I’ll write more about this in another post, but I was pretty excited to meet him. He donated an original Sumi brush piece of a honu for our live auction which sold for $5,000.
The evening was a great success and a wonderful celebration of the ocean and all those who work to protect it.
I’d like to give a BIG shoutout to my guy Brian who I like to call the ‘Unsung Hero’ of the John Kelly Awards. He climbs ladders all day, strings lights, hangs lanterns and signs, transports, carries, and generally just gets things DONE. This year he also bartended all night long (though I don’t think he minded that job too much.) Here he is working hard (or hardly working? :)) Thanks Brian!
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