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"

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Micronesia: Peace Corps Micronesia : Peace Corps Micronesia: Newest Stories: 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"

By Admin1 (admin) (98.188.147.225) on Sunday, May 29, 2011 - 11:12 am: Edit Post

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."




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

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 RSS Feed

 Site Index Search PCOL with Google Contact PCOL Recent Posts Bulletin Board Open Discussion RPCV Directory Register

May 26, 2011: The RPCV in the White House Date: May 26 2011 No: 1522 May 26, 2011: The RPCV in the White House
The RPCV in the White House 8 Apr
Peace Corps Recruiter Remembers Thomas Maresco 2 Mar
Robbie Schwartz writes: How would my life have been different? 2 Mar
Rajiv Joseph is a fresh and compelling voice in theater 5 Mar
Robert Textor Releases Peace Corps Classic 13 Mar
Chris Matthews writes: What's the Real Mission In Libya? 22 Mar
Peace Corps Faces Budget Ax in FY2012 23 Mar
Brendan Moroso writes: Revolution comes to North Africa 23 Mar
Jessica Moon Bernstein has exhibition "Ourrubberos" 26 Mar
Joshua Stern Founds Envaya to Provide Interent Access 26 Mar
Richard Sitler Photographs PCVs around the world 27 Mar
Scott Lacy is Executive Director of African Sky 29 Mar
American Sailor Accused of Raping PCV in Uganda 24 Apr
Scott Koepke Shares his Love for Dirt 26 Apr
Jane Wolkowicz tried to be Strict Vegetarian in Kazakhstan 27 Apr
George Packer Writes: Bin Laden: Better Late Than Never 2 May
Clare Major Screens Film "Feast & Sacrifice" 4 May
Steve Kruse and Salifu Mansaray met 40 years ago 4 May
SuZanne Kimbrell Rocks in Dallas 12 May
Nancy Sathre-Vogel writes:A Long Path to Nowhere 15 May
Gal Beckerman writes: What is Peace Corps for? 15 May
Katie Dyer Founded Fair Trade Folk Art Gallery 17 May
Henry Wilhelm Honored for his Photography 25 May

Congress Holds Hearings on Sexual Assault Date: May 15 2011 No: 1518 Congress Holds Hearings on Sexual Assault
Congress held hearings on the sexual assault of Peace Corps volunteers. Read the testimony of returned and current Peace Corps volunteers on how the problem is still ongoing, and not limited to any particular country or region. Director Williams says that "it has become apparent to me that the Peace Corps has not always been sufficiently responsive or sensitive to victims of crime and their families. I sincerely regret that." Read what the Peace Corps is doing to address the issue.

Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years Date: March 8 2011 No: 1513 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 Date: January 18 2011 No: 1487 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."

PCV Murder Investigated Date: January 18 2011 No: 1477 PCV Murder Investigated
ABC News has investigated the murder of Benin PCV Kate Puzey. Read our original coverage of the crime, comments on Peace Corps actions, the email Puzey sent her country director about sexual incidents with Puzey's students and with another PCV, the backstory on how RPCVs helped the Puzey family, and Peace Corps' official statement. PCOL Editorial: One major shortcoming that the Puzey murder highlights is that Peace Corps does not have a good procedure in place for death notifications.

Join Us Mr. President! Date: June 26 2009 No: 1380 Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .



Read the stories and leave your comments.








Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Star Advertiser

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Micronesia; Writing - Micronesia; Sports; Surfing

PCOL46456
78


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: