2011.01.02: January 2, 2011: Micronesia RPCV Reilly Ridgell writes: Reading the stories of the late Rell Sunn, I couldn't help but think of the e.e. cummings poem "Buffalo Bill"
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2011.01.02: January 2, 2011: Micronesia RPCV Reilly Ridgell writes: Reading the stories of the late Rell Sunn, I couldn't help but think of the e.e. cummings poem "Buffalo Bill"
Micronesia RPCV Reilly Ridgell writes: Reading the stories of the late Rell Sunn, I couldn't help but think of the e.e. cummings poem "Buffalo Bill"
"Thriving in this environment is the beautiful Hawaiian-Chinese-haole girl with rich brown skin, long dark hair and a near-constant overpowering smile. Not only did she surf, but she could spearfish as well, diving deeper than most males, long hair flowing out around her. But more important was the effect Sunn had on people. Her spirit seemed to conquer all and make her universally loved by everyone who came into contact with her. For those people who knew her and spent much time with her, Ambrose's book will be an affirmation of her life. For those like me who never knew her, "Stories of Rell Sunn" will at first seem to be missing specifics and detail. I was annoyed at the lack of a chronological approach, and it wasn't clear until about halfway through the book that she had died. But I think Ambrose intended it to be this way, to allow the reader to absorb information about her life by viewing it through a kaleidoscope of friends' memories. And, indeed, by the end of the book, I knew all that I needed to: Rell Sunn was a professional surfer, a spearfisherwoman, a radio personality, a world traveler as an ambassador of surfing, a teacher and a promoter of Hawaiian language and culture. And she was overwhelmingly loved."
Micronesia RPCV Reilly Ridgell writes: Reading the stories of the late Rell Sunn, I couldn't help but think of the e.e. cummings poem "Buffalo Bill"
Book reflects enduring love for famed surfer Rell Sunn
By Reilly Ridgell / Special to Star-Advertiser
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 02, 2011
Reading the stories of the late Rell Sunn, I couldn't help but think of the e.e. cummings poem "Buffalo Bill." After describing, in just a few lines, the greatness of the man, the poem ends with a line of anger and loss: "How do you like your blue-eyed boy, Mr. Death?"
Maybe those who knew and loved Sunn felt that way, or maybe they were able to celebrate her amazing life and accept her death in 1998 at the age of 47 after a 14-year battle with cancer. It's clear they tried.
What her friend and former Honolulu Advertiser writer Greg Ambrose has done comes close to that. Ambrose interviewed a number of Sunn's friends and relatives, then compiled and organized their memories into this fine book, a true celebration of her aloha spirit.
Although she was much more than a great surfer, you can't appreciate Sunn without delving into the surfing lifestyle. In Hawaii, where surfing was invented, there is a spiritual element to the sport you don't usually find elsewhere - especially if the surfers are Hawaiian, and especially if it is Makaha Beach, where a tough group of local surfers watches over the waves.
Thriving in this environment is the beautiful Hawaiian-Chinese-haole girl with rich brown skin, long dark hair and a near-constant overpowering smile. Not only did she surf, but she could spearfish as well, diving deeper than most males, long hair flowing out around her. But more important was the effect Sunn had on people. Her spirit seemed to conquer all and make her universally loved by everyone who came into contact with her.
For those people who knew her and spent much time with her, Ambrose's book will be an affirmation of her life. For those like me who never knew her, "Stories of Rell Sunn" will at first seem to be missing specifics and detail. I was annoyed at the lack of a chronological approach, and it wasn't clear until about halfway through the book that she had died. But I think Ambrose intended it to be this way, to allow the reader to absorb information about her life by viewing it through a kaleidoscope of friends' memories. And, indeed, by the end of the book, I knew all that I needed to:
Rell Sunn was a professional surfer, a spearfisherwoman, a radio personality, a world traveler as an ambassador of surfing, a teacher and a promoter of Hawaiian language and culture. And she was overwhelmingly loved.
Ambrose's book is replete with beautiful photographs, though I wish there were more captions with the photos. A glossary of Hawaiian words used in the text also would have been helpful.
Guam-based writer Reilly Ridgell is author of the textbook "Pacific Nations and Territories" and "Bending to the Trade Winds: Stories of the Peace Corps Experience in Micronesia." His new novel is "Green Pearl Odyssey."
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Headlines: January, 2011; Peace Corps Micronesia; Directory of Micronesia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Micronesia RPCVs; Writing - Micronesia; Sports
When this story was posted in May 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest. |
| How Volunteers Remember Sarge As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge." |
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Story Source: Star Advertiser
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Micronesia; Writing - Micronesia; Sports; Surfing
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