From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

There were no monsters lying in wait beneath the surf at Pohoiki on Saturday morning — only fear to be conquered, followed by the unadulterated joy that comes with catching and simultaneously turning yourself over to a wave, letting the ocean take you wherever it will.

As 16-year-old aspiring pro surfer Jimmy Ulualoha “Ulu Boy” Napeahi made his way toward the shoreline, he had a crowd of well-wishers, friends and family rooting him on, giving him the strength he needed to return to the environment he calls his “second home.” Read more.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

New hope, home for curious monk seal

Nakamura accepts Kauai County managing director position

Petition protests KIUC meter fees

Mixed reviews brewing over proposed coffee standards changes

Hokulia developer will pay, not build

Konihiki system proposal to manage Hawaii’s resources

Eucalyptus logging may begin in 2014

Maui group nets software from Microsoft

Hawaii vendor bidding goes online

Photo: Pohoiki-style surfing. (Hitchster)

—Chad Blair