When I received my DD214 from active duty service, I really had no idea where I would end up next. I had completed a two-year assignment and was jumping back into the Reserves. I knew that I needed to continue pursuing my medical career and when I realized that I had the opportunity to move to Hawai’i — there was nothing that could stop me.

It was always a dream of mine when I was little to move to Hawai’i and live by the ocean. Whenever I visited the islands, I would embrace the culture and thrive. In the podcast, Mai Tais at Sunset, I discuss at length how opportunities fell into my lap as soon as I moved there. One thing I noticed about Hawai’i was that prior research was key to being successful in transitioning to a life on the islands. Born and raised in a bustling city with the feeling of “go, go, go”, you immediately had to apply the brakes and come to a sharp “halt”. The islands are not in a rush, so why should you be?

Being athletic in mind, body, and spirit, I was immediately swept up in the variety of ocean sports that are available to visitors and residents alike. Outrigger paddling consumed me whole — as a beginner, as a novice, and then as part of the A-team. Paddling is a culture in its own right. You either live it, breathe it, and make it a priority in your life somehow, or you just get caught up in politics and favoritism. All sports, no matter if they are professional or for fun have some sort of drama. Now, in its defense, I was at my very best when I was paddling. I was in shape and had an instant core group of friends. This was the one time in my life I did not have body issues or felt guilty about the way I looked. It seems surprising after all the years in the military and playing collegiate sports, I would have been pretty comfortable with my body. Nope, it was when I was out in the ocean, paddling maybe 4–5 hours during the week and 7–8 hours on the weekend that I felt alive and confident. Paddling made me appreciate my strength and mental toughness.

People ask me all the time, “When did you have time for all these adventures?” Well, I made time for it. No one could ever argue the fact that if you love something, you make room. I had the ocean and it taught me so many things. You have to respect nature. It is so much more powerful than one person and to conquer your fears, there must be the ability to embrace the lessons before you. Even to this day, I do not fear the ocean and its potential. I just allow it to take me where I am meant to be.

If you ever ask, the ocean will provide. I needed something else besides paddling and it gave me the opportunity to disconnect and go “treasure” finding. I have spent hours on different beaches around the islands, shell picking. It may not sound that exciting or provide a full adrenaline rush, but after a sunny day by the ocean, there is not much to complain about. Plus, finding microshells is probably borderline obsessive, but oh so satisfying.

I hope you enjoyed my very first blog post! More to come in the future. Mahalo nui!