My name is Erika Smith and I am from Hawaii and although I’m not a native to the island I’ve found myself blending into my surroundings with ease. No, I was raised in a rural town in Colorado and yet I yearned for the seas. Though my physical body was trapped on land my heart swam under the waters and breathed in salt. I found myself enraptured, as a child, with all sea life. Part of me wished I could become such a creature-to glide beneath the tides and to drift without care into the open depths of adventure. To indulge in my whims as a being of the waters. I wanted nothing more.
Thus Hawaii seemed like the most reasonable choice. The tropical paradise housed a cornucopia of islands to choose from and as soon as I was able, I packed my bags. I never felt close to my home state and I think my parents knew that, as sad as they were to see me go they respected my decision to travel all the way to the island of Molokai. They continue to write me or call me on occasion and I reciprocate.