Waves of Support: Surfer’s Reflection

Growing up on these islands, you learn that community is everything. We’re not just people who share a piece of paradise – we’re family. And when one of our own struggles, we feel it deep in our bones, like a current pulling us together.

Mitchell’s story isn’t just his own – it’s a narrative that resonates through our tight-knit surfing community. This past year has been rough for him, and I’ve watched how our island has responded. From what I’ve seen, we’re at a critical turning point.

The performative support? We’re done with that. Those surface-level gestures that look good on social media but don’t actually lift someone up – they’re meaningless. What Mitchell needs, what any of us would need in his situation, is real, tangible support. The kind that comes from genuine connection, from understanding.

I speak not just for the professional surfers who make headlines, but for every person who’s ever paddled out at dawn, who understands that surfing is more than a sport – it’s a way of life, a connection to something larger than ourselves. Mitchell is one of us. A sweet kid who’s been navigating some seriously challenging waters.

And here’s what I know, what I feel in my gut: things are about to change. Not because of empty promises or Instagram posts, but because our community – our ohana – doesn’t leave its own behind. We’re preparing to show up in ways that matter. Real support. Real love.

It’s controversial, sure. People will talk. But those of us who truly know Mitchell, who’ve seen his heart, his struggle – we’re united. We see beyond the surface, beyond the rumors and the noise.

This isn’t just about Mitchell. It’s about who we are as a community. It’s about proving that on these islands, when one of us is down, we don’t just watch – we lift each other up.

Change is coming. And it’s going to be beautiful.