One day, as we actually saw a whale breaching by the side our boat, Captain Andy exclaimed in surprise, "It's a whale!"; to which I, Peggy Oki, echoed his sentiment with a comment of "Oh my God!" While visiting in Alaska, I had the opportunity to take part in researching humpbacks whales and what I witnessed there left me amazed; "Oh my God!" were the words that escaped my mouth. Captain Andy, a humpback whale researcher, is the one who can be heard shouting "It's a whale!" with infinite enthusiasm even after having seen hundreds of humpbacks before. His unending excitement over these majestic creatures will never falter! When I observe dolphins and whales, my excitement is renewed as each encounter is uniquely fulfilling. I have had the pleasure of encountering them many times over the years and still feel awe-inspired. The movement of a whale, weighed at around 100 - 150 metric tons, is both graceful and effortless seeming as it performs its oscillations throughout the depths of the ocean. Rather naturally this captivates me and serves as ongoing inspiration. I try to emulate the graceful movement in surfing and skateboarding that I love so much. For example, taking inspiration from watching people and whales flow throughout every maneuver or trick seamlessly is something I admire and strive for when I'm on the board.
The Zephyr skateboard team, largely known for its 1983 documentary feature, "Dogtown and Z-boys", had the distinction of having me as its only female member four decades ago. We often chose to live differently, remaining independent and challenging convention. We were not afraid to be a bit rebellious in order to follow our own paths. Skating the banks, pools and adventure led us to create our own signature style, known today as vertical skateboarding, seen in the X Games. Whilst many other children were devising ways to dodge school yet again, we were getting into schools with just one goal – the thrill of skating. Surfing has been my other passion for the last forty years as well, and apart from that I'm also interested in photography, music, and storytelling. Art of all genres inspire me greatly – be it movies, literature or theatre. Plus travelling to not-so mainstream places brings me immense joy. Sitting on my board with the ocean’s music beneath me, I have spent thousands of hours attempting to surf waves - and just as much treasured the accompanying wildlife interactions with seabirds too. Ultimately though, it is the thrilling nature of wave riding that truly completes this experience for me. I was doing two things simultaneously when I joined the skateboard team – studying field zoology and environmental biology.
I have always been intrigued by how dolphins and whales interact with each other in social settings, particularly their behavior patterns. My interest lies largely in the realm of animal behavior. Cetaceans, commonly (yet personally) referred to as the Cetacean Nation, are a group of mammals that are found in water all around the world. This group includes species such as whales and dolphins. While they may vary greatly in size, they all share certain features such as flippers and blubber. Orcas, swimming majestically amongst the ocean, form strong and resilient bonds with one another - as an invaluable trait that they are renowned for by far being the largest member of the dolphin family. Living out their lives in unison, these lifelong companions remain steadfastly connected with each other. Currently, we are now on a quest to understand more about sperm whales. These majestic marine mammals possess items of great interest such as their complex social structure, feeding habits, and breeding habits. With further knowledge and research, we aim to get closer to fully understanding these wonderful creatures. I'm quite the devoted follower of sperm whales; their beauty and intelligence have won me over. Never having any desire to sway from my devotion, I have been a "groupie" of this majestic creature for years. The world's largest toothed mammal are remarkable creatures—they can reach sizable lengths and weigh a lot. These majestic animals, as they are often called, possess the greatest set of teeth in terms of size on our planet. The largest brain in the world is also held by sperm whales. They can truly boast of having so great a power inside the craniums that furnish this attribute to them. According to reports, sperm whales can demonstrate excellent underwater attainment: with the capability of diving to depths up to 2,000 meters and the ability to withhold their breath for up to an hour. Even in the face of danger, members of the animal kingdom have been known to show great selflessness and dedication. What impacted me most about their behavior was that when faced with such jeopardy, they will never leave their injured or sick behind.
This truly speaks volumes about the strength of instinctive communal bonds in animals. There had been a release of findings from prominent scientists, which mention that play is an indication of intelligence-enhancing abilities from a study on animal behavior. And it it this very research that has brought us here surfing with dolphins; it is a unique experience. This activity allows an adventure unlike any other, as people get to enjoy the ocean from the back of marine creatures. Those participating in this situation can witness such beauty and make unforgettable memories. As a surfer, I have an amazing connection to these dolphins which I encounter while riding the waves. Experiencing them surfing together really solidifies my affinity for them and all our similarities that come with sharing the same element. Whales have been seen mastering the waves, with surfing being an adept activity they have been observed doing it. Images of whales gliding gracefully through the waters while riding a wave showcase their remarkable ability to take on such a feat. One moment it is still, the next a school bus comes roaring onto the scene and explodes into a wave at Pipeline. It bobbles on top of the water with all its weight before settling down slowly, faces inside watching curiously as this unique ride ends in an unexpected fashion. It has come to pass. Completely transformed, everything is different now.
Cetaceans have long amazed humans, not only with their elegant beauty and immense size, but also through the incredible stories documenting their interactions with people. Exemplified through countless tales of communication and interaction, dolphins mesmerize us with their warm yet truly wild nature. Off the shore of Ocean Beach, 100 meters out from Whangarei, New Zealand 12 years ago, there were seven dolphins that almost seemed to causing trouble for a father with his three daughters. This lifeguard was practicing swimming with them when the dolphins swam around them slapping their flukes. They were quite unperturbed by the presence of dolphins, so they swam on with a feeling of excited enthusiasm. From the shore, a lifeguard spotted the strange occurrence and thought it needed closer inspection. He took action, determined to find out what was going on. He got into his small boat and made his way to just outside the area where dolphins were swimming. To get a closer look, he then jumped into the water – what other oddities did he find? A great white shark that measures three meters in length is a majestic creature. Its size and majestic appearance are quite astounding, and our discovery of the shark itself just as shocking. The day was an excellent day for a unique experience; being surrounded by dolphins and the occasional shark as they take to the waters around you! It's a one-of-a-kind occurrence, something that people can only dream about - and that day had become a reality!
Nearly three million whales were mercilessly killed in the 20th century. This massive amount of destruction was done unbeknownst by the public during a concentrated period in recent history. Many whales in our world remain endangered, even now. Particularly alarming are those which are still facing danger; their numbers are decreasing rapidly due to various causes. Conservationists and researchers have been working together to save them before they become extinct. 1986 saw a moratorium on commercial whaling thanks to public opposition and protests that were witnessed in the early 80s. The International Whaling Commission had duly announced said suspension. A win was celebrated by the whale enthusiasts after we had displayed a remarkable performance. Thanks to our efforts, the whales are saved! We can now look with pride on our accomplishment of protecting these majestic creatures. I still recollect the memory of that day in sharp detail. All the events and happenings seem to be imprinted clearly on my mind. The whaling that had been going on was about to conclude, and it left a distinct impression on me - "Wow!" Whales have been killed in the millions but, alarmingly, never has there been an instance of a whale attack on a human being. In this world of imagined reckoning, we would forgo war, revenge and retaliation - instead encouraging peace, forgiveness and compassion.
I wondered what wise insights a whale could teach me - gazing into its eyes and exchanging thoughts. Daydreaming, I pondered the experience. I created a painting that features a gray whale's eye, the subject being the focus of the artwork. The eye is depicted in shades of gray, making for an evocative piece. On a Christmas morning surf session in late 1999, while I was waiting for waves, a gray whale shockingly surfaced less than 15 meters away. Close enough to lock eyes with me, the encounter filled me with euphoric bliss without any trace of fear. I remember the awe-inspiring moment clearly – it was unforgettable! I was just so amazed at how near this whale had come to me; it really was a sight to behold! A second gray whale emerged nearby the first one, rising out of the depths with its impressive arched back and diving back down, leaving just as quickly as it had appeared. Following this, the original whale returned to partying ways in underwater oblivion. I was aware of the uniqueness of that time and knew that it wasn't something everyone would get a chance to experience. Whale, uncommonly close to a human and in its natural setting, is an incredibly rare occurrence. Due to such insightful responses, I wanted to experience this phenomenon myself, so I decided to investigate further. At the time, whales were being heavily hunted to meet the demand for whale products– everything from whale meat to oil and leather. After years of large-scale exploitation and hunting, a sharp decline in the numbers of whales was becoming clearly evident, prompting global efforts to protect these incredible creatures. I had no idea that such a small event would have a life-changing effect on me. What happened was that I attended an academic seminar, not expecting anything kind of extraordinary to occur. Little did I know, however, that this would prove to be a momentous experience for me.
The enforced moratorium of 1986 was intended to protect whales, yet shockingly they still continued to be killed despite this. Each year, more than 1,800 whales were brutally slaughtered as whale hunts were commonplace during that period. Commercial whaling activities of Norway, as well as scientific whaling from Japan and Iceland which has just recently joined in, are both considered to be controversial topics. The Japanese government declared in 2007 that they would be conducting a whale hunt in Antarctica, with plans to kill 50 humpback whales. As an artist, it was necessary for me to take action regarding this issue. My motivation came from a need to do something about it. So I proposed the concept of producing a portrait series, featuring 50 static images of Antarctic whale species – humpback whales identified through photo-identification records. The patterns present on humpback whales can be compared to the unique set of fingerprints that humans have; they serve as an individual's identity. Sentient individuals are beings I have a desire to aid somehow. These beings possess the capacity for thought, feelings and sympathy for others. I was wondering on what people thought about my art series, which could have seemed unusually obsessive, made me appear crazy. However, I was really glad that my show was well-received, considering it was something that I've never done before. People seemed to enjoy it and I'm pleased with the outcome. Through paintings, I sought to raise awareness and appreciation for Cetaceans, such as whales. My goal was to highlight the beauty and majesty of these wonderful creatures. A large painting, measuring 1.5 meters in width, this oil on board piece is a depiction of a sperm whale's fluke. Despite its grand scale however, it falls short when compared to the creature itself – which is twice as big. The whale art activities I designed were invited to be showcased at the Santa Barbara Whale Festival, thanks in part to the organizer's noticing of a particular painting.
Origami, whales: Creating intricate origami whales can be a fun and rewarding task. The challenge of turning a piece of paper into something resembling a whale will bring out the creativity that lies within anyone who attempts it - so why not give it a try! A meaningful goal for this effort is to help create and encourage an environment in which everyone feels included and valued, regardless of background or identity. Origami whales would represent an alarming figure, 1,400 of them, which stood for the number of whales that were slated to be killed that year. It was a large and impressive undertaking - the whale festival, with people of all ages taking part to fold origami whales. The excitement spread to the children who too eagerly attended! My campaign made it halfway to success, with animal welfare organizations helping us spread the word; their websites were used to post our information and updates. People from all corners of the United States came together, no matter what region they are from. The population of this nation comes from every state throughout the country. So, regardless of where people hail from, all corners of the United States contributed to my altruistic art project. People from around the globe began sending origami whales to me and my campaign as well. I achieved my goal of researching and logging a catalogue of whales found off the South American coast. Consequently, I was privileged enough to present these details to the International Whaling Commissioner of the United States.
I plan to SOMEHOW bring these whales to Washington DC in the most stunning, eye-catching way possible. I'm not bringing anything like two big plastic bags that contain origami whales during my appearance; the delivery plan won't work something like that. A plexiglass cylinder, however, could have made for a great display, enclosing all the origami whales within it, almost like their own little aquarium! On second thought, I say "No way!" to that plan too. "Oh. Oh, absolutely not!" There is simply no way that can happen. The impressive feat of swimming fifty miles each day by whales is truly amazing. These incredible creatures showcase their athleticism, agility, and endurance on a daily basis and it is remarkable to witness their commitment. "Such beautiful beings such as whales should never be confined in tanks", is a statement that must be embraced by all. Many of these creatures should not live in such a limited capacity, and most enjoy the swimming room you can only get away from these limiting containers. I had an idea of sewing Origami Whales into a curtain, giving each one distinct features - so they could be identified easily. My friend gladly accepted my suggestion and proposed to have the idea implemented at her house. Six friends and I recently travelled to Washington DC with a unique decoration: we created our own strand of paper origami whales! We spent the entire weekend hand-stitching our creations together into a curtain – it was the very first string of origami whales to ever adorn the nation's capital. The United States had a Commissioner for the International Whaling Commission at the time too, to have witnessed our presentation for DC.
The Origami Whale Project was developed when I decided to create curtains of origami whales and dolphins in order to support various causes. Since then, these curtains have been made frequently for a variety of reasons. The use of keywords as an effective tool for communication cannot be understated. And, as a side-note, it can also be beneficial to invest in ensuring they are utilized correctly. To properly use these words and phrases can provide clarity and directness which leads to better understanding between parties involved in a discussion. Following the never-ending summer, I finally embarked on my first trip to New Zealand in 1980, landing straight into the famous Raglan coast. Raglan is no stranger to me since I've already visited it 19 times and enjoy it more with each passing trip. The Maui's dolphin, native to New Zealand and the world's smallest dolphin, is facing an ever-increasing state of critical vulnerability. This species is in danger of extinction. Through the creation of Maui's Dolphin Day, I realized in 2006 that the population of Maui's dolphins had dramatically dropped to just 111. My response was to create a curtain made up of origami representations of these near-extinct mammals. To draw attention to the plight of such a small number (111) of Maui's dolphins, I conceived the idea of creating a curtain made up of 1,111 of these incredibly beautiful creatures. By doing so I am hoping that it will get people to ask questions about their health and well-being. People would be puzzled seeing a large item made of paper dolphins, asking "What is that?" Relatively few of Maui's dolphins remain, 111 of which we can witness in the little curtain situated besides the big main curtain. This serves to show how limited these 111 dolphins are compared to the greater whale population. The small curtain which was on display for three months at Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand, has been transferred to Waikato Museum in New Zealand and will be exhibited there for two months. Seeing our exhibit showcased in renowned places, I felt absolutely tremendous when we had the privilege to have interacted with children of various ages in the process.
Volunteers and dedicated individuals have helped make creating thousands of origami whales possible. It takes a team of hundreds to successfully accomplish this endeavor. I felt incredibly frustrated because, even though whales are meant to be protected by a moratorium, very little news is getting out about the number of these majestic creatures that are dying. But in 2006, I had an idea: to create a curtain representative of the number of whales killed. The concept was to use this curtain as a way to emphasize this alarming fact and make people aware of the unsustainable practices occurring in our oceans. In that year alone, the loss of 25,000 whales was incurred. I had aspirations and saw this as a challenge to take on; therefore, I decided to embark on the ambitious endeavor. All throughout 2007, my goal was to make a curtain out of 30,000 origami whales. To showcase my efforts, I brought the curtain up to Alaska during the International Whaling Commission meetings - and I was successful in reaching my target number. For the past three years, my hand-sewn curtain has been a part of Whale Day on Maui, an annual event highlighting Hawaii's rich whale population. This exhibit began in 2016 when I was asked to contribute artistic pieces that celebrate and promote the waters surrounding these islands. The growing crowd was in awe of the curtain displayed between two massive festival tents, connected side-by-side. Using the number of magnificent whales killed, I updated the curtain each year, having gone from 32,000 to 34,000 to 36,000. Paper whales representing real whales that once swam freely can be found to represent this tragic loss of life - species which should have been fully protected in the first place!
Thousands of people of all ages have come to experience the beauty of the exhibit, where colorful whales dance and glide in the sunlight and the air. They pause to admire this amazing scenario, radiating with life and color. Still, no one is entirely certain as to what lies in store. As they made their way through the extended pathway of whale sculptures, deciphering the engraved messages only to discover the numeric data otherwise invisible, individuals among the audience came out feeling cut by a deep emotion, sobbing their faces wet, and embracing me with overflowing gratitude. I'm incredibly thankful to collaborate with others and make meaningful art. The art we create together is inspiring and transformative through collective engagement - something special that's been purposeful for everyone involved. I had the honor of meeting some of the volunteers from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and the honor of presenting one of them in my blog to my readers right now actually! Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Volunteers are brave adventurers who, despite the danger and peril of it, travel to Antarctica in their work protecting vulnerable endangered species with this organization. Using their ships, activists strive to come between the whaling ships and the whales themselves in an effort to save them. With direct action, a brave, courageous act that few people would choose to do, they put their lives on the line. I extended an invitation to Captain Paul Watson to come and view the origami whales curtain, that I had put on display in 2007. Then a few months after this first event, he once again returned, presenting me with a medal of honor this time. Thrilled at the recognition of my work by someone engaged in perilous rescues of whales, I was impressed to realize that, on the other end of the spectrum, I am also helping people, young and old alike, become cognizant of the importance of protecting these majestic creatures. As I was inducted into the Skateboard Hall of Fame, I was proud to have a friend refer to me as “Saving the world, one whale at a time”— reaffirming my commitment to help this planet. Everyone who has been involved in folding origami whales and stitching the curtains has contributed to this project greatly - I am immensely thankful for all of their helping hands and initiatives.
People of all types are capable of having excitement, enthusiasm, and devotion for a given activity or pursuit. Whales and dolphins are not mandatory to feel passionate about - it is up to the individual person what they opt to express passion for. Turning passion into action is what makes a difference in the world. It involves taking that enthusiasm and pursuing activities or outcomes that have a positive impact. Through this process, one can prove to be an agent of change, inspiring others and rising above the crowd with their drive that creates positive change in our world. I pictured absolutely no scenario where the Berlin Wall could be destroyed - its removal was an impossibility in my mind. Some people passionately believed in the cause anyway. This passion drove them to push forward and continue striving, even in the face of adversity. Despite what seemed to be a lost cause, they remained determined and refused to give up on their beliefs. They acted swiftly and made progress. They initiated their plan and, as a result, saw the desired outcome. Circuses utilizing wild animals have likewise been prohibited in many parts of the world; a reality that was unimaginable to me previously. And this is only because some passionate individuals worked hard and achieved the goal they had set out to reach. Even the incredibly surprising story of the single surviving female New Zealand black robin, who was nearly wiped out entirely, is a testament to just how such biodiversity can be recovered and revived. People with great enthusiasm and drive achieved it. They were determined to make it a reality. I feel passionately about making a difference in the world, and believe I can do so in many areas. For example, fighting for social justice, investing in green energy & sustainability initiatives, inspiring a generation of young people to get involved with philanthropy or volunteering. While in Raglan this summer teaching the Whales and Dolphins Ambassador Program, I received a request for advice from one of my students, Ala aged 12. I simply told her, "To reach your Porpoise in Life, decide what it is and use both vision and action to work towards it. Formulate strategies that suit your specific desires so that you can follow the journey set by your heart." Well, I'd like to thank everyone in attendance. It's been an absolute pleasure to have all of you present here. We really appreciate your support and dedication to the cause. We are truly grateful for your presence here today, and we thank you for your enthusiasm, commitment and kindness in supporting us.
See also: https://mygodsentangels.com/