By Burt Lum

In previous columns, I have written about the dedication to Web projects people commit themselves to, be it music, weblogs or fan sites.

The Internet abounds in examples of devotion. But when my friend Kelvin Ho from Kaua'i told me about the heroic mission of an organization called Kai Makana (www.kaimakana.org) to bring awareness to preserving and protecting our ocean environment, dedication took on a whole new dimension.

On a mission that has already spanned years, founder Donna Kahiwaokawailani Kahakui continues to spread the message by completing extreme solo canoe paddles from island to island.

Back in 1999, Kahakui completed a "crazy paddle" from the Big Island to Waikiki. She's solo paddled around O'ahu. She took her mission to Tahiti, New Zealand and even the Hudson River, all to bring attention to the conditions of our oceans.

Her vision not only is to build awareness but also to nurture the next generation of paddlers and youth to be environmentally conscious.

On June 2, Kahakui completes the last leg of her Hawai'i trek (see www.kaimakana.org/awareness.htm) as she paddles from O'ahu to Kaula Rock, stopping along the way on Kaua'i and weaving past Ni'ihau.

When this voyage started, the vision was to paddle the open ocean, touch each of the islands and unify the effort to care for the ocean. The vision continues as the next generation picks up the banner. On her paddle from O'ahu to Kaula Rock, two young paddlers, Nahina Lee Loy and Vaimana Connor, join Kahakui to paddle alongside.

All paddlers are welcome to join the voyage.

On the ground, people are rallying around Kahakui. From the launch at Hale'iwa, a cultural ceremony performed by a practicing lua pa (Hawaiian martial-arts group) will provide the sendoff. Puna Dawson will welcome the paddlers at Kalapaki Bay on Kaua'i. The paddlers will then stop at Nu'alolo Kai to conduct a ceremony there with Sabra Kauka and the Na Pali'Ohana (see www.napali.org).

As Kahakai has told me, it is not about her at all.

It's about protecting the ocean, connecting with others and keeping the vision alive.

It's about being empowered to make a difference. ;-)

Burt Lum is one click away at www.roughtake.com.