Staying Afloat

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  Wai'anae, Hawai'i
  December 18, 2014
  
  Everyone goes through their own unique set of obstacles, and for most teenagers, heartbreak is at the top of the list. Senior Kahea Lagasca is no stranger to the romantic undertow. Kahea’s life was looking up, she had a boyfriend, a sport she loved, and supportive friends. For Kahea, her relationship was her rock. However, her rock was swept out to sea, and Kahea found herself paddling back to shore, alone .
  
  “I was with my boyfriend at the time for 2 years and after we broke up, I wanted to quit everything.”
  
  But even through rough waters, her love for her relationship was not greater than her love for the sport and her team.
  
  “I knew I couldn’t quit on my team.”
  
  With this attitude, Kahea has not only won the hearts of her teammates, but their trust and respect. As team captain of the Wai’anae High School varsity paddling team, Kahea supports her team, because she can’t afford to leave another man behind.
  
  “Whenever I see somebody slacking behind, I try to encourage them to not give up on the team and that we all need them and we’re a team and we’re always going to be together.”
  
  From that moment forward, paddling kept her grounded and helped her to stay in place. It became the new found passion that kept her anchored. Kahea has found that with padding, she can stay focused through the highs and lows.
  
  “I just took the frustrations out in the boat. It helped me to get through the struggles of my frustration in school, and in relationships”.
  
  With paddling, Kahea has learned that even if she gave it her all, it wouldn’t be enough without a team to support her.
  
  “I was in Hula but it was all about myself so its kind of different like thinking of the team and the team effort.”
  
  Paddling became such a huge part of Kahea’s life that she left her lifetime love, “I dropped hula for paddling,” and with paddle in hand, and her team by her side, Kahea rowed her way to the top.
  
  “We’re a team and we’re always going to be together and no matter what we do, even if we fail, we fail as a team or we strive as a team”.
  
  Last year, Kahea and her team won first place in the OIA state-wide paddling championship. With a new-found taste for glory, Kahea isn’t quite ready to lay down her paddle.
  
  “It was kind of like an inspiration for me and thats kind of my goal is to like try to win or get to championships”.
  
  With this attitude, Kahea is steering her way to victory.

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LOOKING BACK

I've realized that it is better to see the big picture than it is to be alone and not want to be a part of something incredible.  


Chrisann Rabanes, Photographer  

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Looking back, it's easier to work as a team than it is being alone.



Brylee Maesaka-Maramba, Reporter

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