• some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    15
    ·
    24 days ago

    “I was expecting the worst, and then when I seen his head up next to the kayak … His family is lucky and this kid is strong,” Keaulana said at a news conference on Thursday. “I think he was in total shock because he wasn’t emotional at all. And I was actually crying my guts out because he was OK.”

    Holy shit. What a terrifying experience.

  • Potatisen@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    13
    ·
    24 days ago

    That photo just seems like a bunch of awesome bros who are heading to grab a bew after the press conference is over.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    8
    ·
    24 days ago

    I have to wonder if surviving these sorts of horrific experiences were the beginnings of Polynesians learning to dominate the Pacific.

    • Kelly Aster 🏳️‍⚧️@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      24 days ago

      In the beginning, probably yeah. The Polynesians eventually became expert navigators, but they had to start somewhere. The Pacific Ocean is frickin massive, I can’t imagine being stranded out there with no way home.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        edit-2
        24 days ago

        Oh definitely horrifying, but I’m thinking about someone thousands of years ago who is stranded out at sea like this… and then they look up and they see that star overhead that they remember always points the same direction at this time of year, or they see some birds and decide to follow them. And an amazing age of exploration begins.

        • Kelly Aster 🏳️‍⚧️@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          24 days ago

          Ah, I see what you mean. Yeah, sometimes one little key observation can kickstart a new era. All without the aid of navigational instruments, too, which is wild to me.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    8
    ·
    24 days ago

    Off-duty lifeguard Noland Keaulana, a Polynesian voyager and part of a well-known Native Hawaiian waterman family, had been searching through the night on a boat. The coast guard directed him to the flare.

    Eddie would be proud

  • ramenshaman@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    24 days ago

    Is… Is the 17 year old kid the one in the middle with the huge beard? I mean, I had a beard when I was 17 but damn that is a grown ass man

    • Custodian1623@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      edit-2
      24 days ago

      AP photos come with captions - on mobile if you tap the little i in the corner it will name everyone in the picture

      (no)

  • fubarx@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    24 days ago

    Have relatives out there. Paddling is a way of life. The guys in the picture probably all go out on the weekends, if not daily.