Despite Rain, Fun and Community Spirit Unite Maui Water Women

by Katie McMillan

Despite the pouring rain, over 100 women came out to unite in their passion for the ocean and healthy living at The 5th Annual Butterfly Effect Maui. The Butterfly Effect is a non-competitive, five-mile down wind ocean adventure and beach clean up founded by Maui windsurfer Tatiana Howard.

Participants in the 5th Annual Butterfly Effect (photo credit: Batel Shimi)

“In pouring rain the girls showed up, worked together, piling up the weeds and invasive plant species along Ho’okipa Beach,” states Howard. Participants began the day by participating in a beach clean up sponsored by Community Work Day, and Friends of Ho’okipa.

“We were proud to partner with the Butterfly Effect and help participants malama [care for] the beach parks that we depend on for recreation,” commented Rhiannon Chandler, Executive Director of Community Work Day Program.

Following the cleanup, participants were lead through an inspiring series of yoga postures with instructors from Paia Yoga. “We all joined in a circle and focused on honoring ourselves, supporting one another, and committing to taking care of the land and ocean,” states Howard.  Amy Chang then followed the yoga session with a Hawaiian blessing.

(photo credit: Batel Shimi)

With off and on rain continuing to occur, a last minute call was made by organizers and the safety crew to change the launch location down the coast, where the Butterfly Effect participants would be sure to have a safe launch. From there, the conditions were ideal, the rain stopped and everyone enjoyed their paddle and sail down the coast to Kanaha.

Once again, participants worked together to clean the beach at Kanaha.  “Tim Lara from Surfrider Maui Chapter made a great motivational speech about how we can all make a difference if we just take 5 minutes every time we visit a beach to pick up trash,” states Howard.

For those who missed out on the Maui event, The Butterfly Effect will continue its journey around the world. The next Butterfly Effect takes place in Fiji on May 28^thand then in Cabarete, Dominican Republic on July 24^th-30^th. For more information go to www.betheeffect.com.

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