Turtle Independence Day

Friday, 4th of July, last week saw a group of friends and I driving over from the east side to the south-west side of the Big Island. We were present for the "Turtle Independence Day" ceremonies in the morning. In the evening, we danced to the music of a band that we like a lot. And in between, we relaxed at the beach.

It was my first time to be at the Turtle Independence Day ceremonies although the ritual has been going on for 25 years now.

At the Mauna Lani Resort along the Kohala Coast four adult green sea turtles were released into the ocean. But it wasn't that simple. Of course. Nothing in Hawaii is simple when it comes to the environment. "Aloha" and Nature are simply inextricable.

The turtles were released, one by one, into the ocean after a winding procession from their "pool-home" to the sandy beach of the resort and finally to the waiting blue Pacific. There was pomp-and- circumstance galore -- Hawaiian style.

Conch shell blowers looked up to the brilliantly blue sky and let out their haunting call as the leaf-wrapped cart containing the turtles lumbered its way to the beach.

Although many like me ignored the beating sun and walked behind the cart, there were already people in vantage positions lining the beach and even soaked in the ocean. Some said that nobody better block their view. They've been in their places waiting patiently since the crack of dawn.

A halau (cultural group) danced traditional Kahiko hula to drumming and chanting. I didn't understand a word. But from the hand gestures and the tone of voices, I imagined them paying homage to the Honu.

The ceremonies fascinated me. Fortunately, I managed to remember to bring my camera. But I wanted to kick myself for forgetting my wide-angle lens.

Below are some pictures I took of my day.