It is a gift when you meet someone with whom you have an instant rapport and shared vision. It is a mandate in our field to share that vision when you have the opportunity. Sunday July 31 aboard the Baylis we had that opportunity.
Kalani and his partner Julie
Kalani’s wealth of experience in so many humanistic fields has given him the background to talk to synergies within the environment, government, social networks, and interpersonal relationships. His Hawaiian upbringing has spiced all of that with generations of wisdom. Sunday Kalani spoke on many topics, but they all lead back to one: what is the most compelling question that we as individuals can ask that will turn around our devastating impact on the natural environment?
The journey for our guests began when he warmed us all up to Tupelo Honey on his Martin guitar. Many engaged discussions ensued as we made our way out onto the glassy Monterey Bay. We finally found some whispers of wind by Point Pinos and set sail, ghosting about under the Monterey marine layer. In the stern of the boat we explored the nature of human experience seeking answers to how we can raise awareness to environmental issues and re-prioritize the priorities of the populace to match the ability of our planet to support our population. Our guests at the bow spied a unique fin and as we drew closer, it became evident that they had discovered a basking shark, a much less common denizen of our bay since we began fishing them for sport in the 1920s. These beautiful filter feeders that used to grow to 45 feet would come into the bay by the hundreds and be harpooned by visitors for 25 cents, and then be left for dead. After 20 years in and on Monterey Bay this is only the third basking shark I have seen personally. Is this basking shark here to share their story as a clue to helping revive more species in our ocean, perhaps an answer to our question?
The Basking Shark joins the conversation
Please join us in our quest to frame the question:
“What is the question that we can ask that will improve the way people view their relationship with the natural world?” As a starting point, Kalani asserts that every interaction in our world is a relationship.
Please join our t-shirt challenge on facebook and help us come up with a short catch phrase that will grab a universal public’s attention and get them to understand the environment’s tenuous state and their role in helping it to recover. The current leader comes to us from John Robison, one of our guests on this past Sunday’s sail. He submitted
Ocean = The Ultimate Social Network
The back of the shirt would read:
Yes, it’s even bigger than Facebook!
Submit yours or vote for your favorite on our Facebook page here.