Today, Friday, June 5, there is a peaceful paddle out at Hapuna Beach at 5 p.m. to demonstrate that the Big Island is part of the “Solidarity in Surf” movement started by @blackgirlssurf, which aims to bring the community together to honor George Floyd and the lives lost to injustice. Local resident and organizer Talea Lischetzki said this is to demonstrate the power of the aloha spirit here in Hawaii.
Lischetzki, 25, who says she is African American and German, was raised here and after getting her degree at Pepperdine University in Public Relations, lives here on the island and works with a photogapher to create content for web sites. Lischetzki says she and her partner Katie Winkenhower saw the violence and riots going on, and wanted to demonstrate that we can do things differently and come together in a demonstration of peace and love rather than anger and violence.
She said, “We have to demonstrate local leadership because our President won’t do what he should be doing.”
Lischetzki said around 120 people took part in a similar paddle out on Tuesday at Anaeho’omalu Bay.
The events are also being used to raise funds for the local chapter of NAACP, which is based on O’ahu. Tuesday’s event raised $400 and there will be a donation calabash at today’s event. Lischetzki said there will also be informational material.
Today was selected for the paddle out as there will be peaceful paddle outs all around the world, with canoes, surfboards, and more.
The schedule is to start at 5 with some brief discussion–anybody will be free to speak–and then the paddle out. People are encouraged to bring loose flowers or lei with biodegradable strings.
Here’s a link to the Facebook Group: Big Island for Black Lives
https://www.facebook.com/groups/302319540775430/?ref=share
Last weekend and earlier this week on the island there were peaceful demonstrations about George Floyd’s death by asphyxiation when a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly 9 minutes.
Flyer, courtesy Talea Lischetzki
