Friday, dozens of family and friends celebrated the life of one Hawaiian man, who called the Grand Strand home, through a paddle out.
Sam Kanekoa also known as Chief Kamu passed away a week ago.
Chief Kamu was known throughout the community for teaching and performing hula dancing and fire shows.
Those in attendance at the paddle out, watched as Chief Kamu’s girls hula danced one more time together in his honor.
Some were his family by blood; however that did not mean the others were not considered family.
“His family became my family for sure,” said Michelle Biglin. “I watched his girls grew up and by girls I mean all the girls not just blood because he treated everyone like family,” she added.
Biglin met Chief Kamu almost a decade ago while she was still in school at Coastal Carolina University.
“He was definitely that missing piece that made me feel connected to my family at home ten hours away,” she said.
Biglin, who now lives back in her home state in New Jersey, says she made arrangements immediately to come back to the Grand Strand when she heard what happened.
She says there was no way she was missing the opportunity to say goodbye.
Many on the beach had similar stories
Dozens of surfers paddled out past the breaks and circled together; each one said a memory of the chief before their final goodbye.
Flowers were tossed into the ocean and then the surfers rode the waves back in celebration of Chief Kamu’s life.
For those waiting on the beach, even though he is gone, he is not forgotten.
“I hope these girls carry on what he left off and carry on his legacy and continue to dance and carry on his legacy,” said Biglin.
For more information on Chief Kamu click here.
