**The Horizon**

By Derek LeVault
August 25th, 2024

As the Imua continues its transit to Honolulu, the most salient feature of Papahānaumokuākeaʻs landscape is its enormity. Water sweeps the horizon and beyond, piles of water, blue hills and valleys for hours, days, time immemorial really. Deep blue water is all weʻve seen, and all we will see for a few more days.

And yet, our societyʻs very tangible connection to this vast expanse is evidenced by the pile of debris we carry. To view photos of (or see first hand) the marine debris in this extensive and distant location, one must ponder the link with no small degree of wonder. I suppose with many things itʻs the connection, not the location which is most consequential. For example any traveler from Hawaiʻi is familiar with the importance of the connecting flight. Or you can have a finely tuned 454 Big Block V8 engine, but it wonʻt do your wheels much good unless itʻs connected through a transmission. The very internet that facilitated this update is evidence of the power of high tier connection.

So perhaps at first glance the sprawling sea is the overriding feature of the surroundings. But on a closer look, and even long after weʻre back home, I think itʻs the connection that will stay with us.

Blue Hills and Valleys

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