Take notice! The governor of a beautiful State in the middle of the Pacific, a politican from a political party that denounces the effects of global climate changes, declares “…2008 to be the International Year of the Reef” — That is quite remarkable and worthwhile a loud applause!

We want to add a message from “Save Our Seas” Board Member, marine biologist Terry Lilley, who just came back from Kauai. With his photo & HDV camera he captured big waves (he rides them, too), underwater creatures, rainbows, flowers, and people - people who not only have influence and financial resources, but also a big heart for the ocean. These famous people became motivated to join this campaign to protect our oceans because of Terry’s sincere efforts during his short visit (…talking about how “One person can make a difference…”).

To learn more about this effort, read Terry’s message below, and feel free to contact him via our contact form:

Two weeks ago I gave a talk at the Princeville library in Kauai about the changing reef out at Hanalei Bay. We may all have a different opinion as to why the sea levels are rising, but the bottom line is they are, and it will affect this beautiful bay, its surf and local community.

Please take notice of the article coming out in this particular magazine, and which you can request from me personally per email. That this article is in a prestigious magazine is not important, but what we do with the scientific information we have learned is very important!

We all love the ocean and many of us have made money from our love of the ocean. It is time we give back and protect what we love. Hawaiians for thousands of years have developed ways to protect what gives us life and enjoyment, and I feel it is time to follow the old ways, but with new equipment!

Please support Save Our Seas in our mission to document the changes in this beautiful bay and other coastlines around the world. One day we will have to tell our children what we did to protect this beautiful place, and I will tell my kids “I did everything I could with my knowledge and resources”.

Soon we also will have a chance to share with you who on Kauai has opened his & her heart toward our effort, and what these great people decided to do with their resources.

Enjoy the photos as it may not always look this way without your help. Please forward this email to anyone you choose who loves the ocean.

Aloha and Mahalo for you support,
Terry Lilley, Marine Biologist
Save Our Seas

There is nothing to add to this (we agree with Terry full-heartedly…), and encourage you to sign up on this form so that Terry can send you personally his article(s), and inform you about “how to preserve, protect, restore our oceans.”

Join NOW the “Save Our Seas” effort at: http://www.SaveOurSeas.org/Join.htm !

Ho O’ Pono Pono - Thomas

PS: Amakua Video contributes the short video on this blog to the “Save Our Seas” educational & ocean-monitoring campaign, its top-notch AMPHIBICO underwater video gear, video & TV/Internet broadcasting services, plus our special UV-Protective surf rash guards featuring the beautiful SOS-logo.

Think about what YOU can do TODAY to help “Save Our Seas”, and with that, how you positively impact our oceans and thus other people’s life, especially that of our children…

WELCOME 2008!

Greetings from beautiful Hanauma Bay on Oahu, Hawaii! What a great way to start the New Year!

Our best wishes to you for a very successful, healthy & prosperous “2008″!

In 2007 Amakua Video LLC has started to modify its operation pretty drastically, and we want to make sure to continue this trend - as we believe: It’s a good one!

Besides offering “Traditional Video Production Services” (such as education-oriented documentaries), Amakua Video has actively started to promote products that help to “…find peace with our Planet…”, like Al Gore encouraged all of us in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech.

Like so many others around the world, we were absolutely gratified with his strong call for “Earth Peace”, and we want to make sure to contribute our fair-share to reduce our global “Carbon Foot Print”.

In order to achieve this goal we want to encourage all our clients & customers to look into either joining our efforts as proposed below, or approach us with your OWN ideas, so that we can join, promote & support YOU in your great efforts. We are open to help you with any type of “Traditional Video Promotion & Presentation”, but furthermore encourage product affiliations in lieu of attractive price reductions for our services.

Here is what we currently promote through video services and Internet-based marketing tools:
1) We like to “reduce, reuse, recycle” as much as possible. Accordingly, we HEAVILY support a new company from Hawaii that offers “100% bio-degradable products”, be it shopping bags, cups, containers, and so forth. It is almost imperative that we start NOW to reduce the overflow of our landfills and “plastification” of our World Ocean (http://www.earthsurge.com/about.htm).
2) Support organizations that foster education and activities to preserve, protect & restore our Planetary resources (www.SaveOurSeas.org)
3) Stay healthy & fit without hurting ourselves, e.g., through excessive exposure to UV-radiation while being outdoors. We promote our German partner firm “GECKOLINE” (www.Geckoline.com, and soon www.Geckoline.us) to “have fun in the sun”, and to build bridges among people through Geckoline’s global “Gecko & Friends” sports campaign. We also promote a unique aquatic workout program that helps everyone to stay fit in a gentle way (find your up-dates on www.GetFitWithAloha/blog).
4) Nutrify yourself through a “functional beverage”, and by doing so support the preservation of parts of the Amazon rainforest and benefit orphans in Rio de Janeiro (www.TheGreatProduct.com/Acai4Health4Wealth)
5) Get yourself a better “mpg” by adding non-poisening substances to your gasoline. It really works! We just tested this product during a cross-country trek, and with each tank-fill we got better and better “mgp’s”!

So: If you decide to do something about the environment, PLUS enhance your own health AND wealth, contact us TODAY, and we fill you in, up and get you going ASAP!

PLUS, contact us if you want to promote your own products likewise!

Are you ready to meet YOUR Planetary challenge today?

Not only think about your children’s future — Teach them from the beginning by the “embodiment of…” to go forward in a sustainable manner.

In gratitude to our beloved Mother Earth -

Thomas

A HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL 2008 to all our dear AMAKUA VIDEO visitors, clients & partners!

Our tip for 2008 from “The Ocean Man” himself: Save Our Seas Marine Biologist and “Shark-Tale Story Teller” Terry Lilley!

“I am in the ocean almost every day, for filming creatures to share with you on TV, surfing, kayaking, or fishing. As an active Ocean Lover you want to protect yourself against dangerous UV-radiation while engaging in your most favorite beach and water activity! - At least that’s what I do every time I spend time at the beach or out at sea.”

Click here to learn more about the special 100% UV-protective Surf Rash Guard that Terry wears in the picture above!
(with courtesy of Vincent Shay, CA, on the Internet at http://www.VincentShayPhotography.com)

Be safe & protect your skin while having fun in the sun also in 2008!

Our very best to you all - with ALOHA! Thomas and Crew

PS: Sign up in 2008 with AMAKUA VIDEO to receive free video tutorials throughout the year, for example how to use the PD150 SONY camera and AMPHIBICO underwater housing, and other gear for our film productions. Exclusively and only available through AMAKUA VIDEO LLC!

What is one of the most popular sports of all times? SURFING!

How much does it take to do it? Ocean waves, one board, one person.

How important is EDUCATION? Tremendously! Because when we educate ourselves, we understand, and when we understand, we start to love what we understand. Once we love “it”, we claim ownership and take responsibility for whatever “is” - in this case to “protect, preserve & restore” our oceans.

So, why not combine BOTH studying the ocean while learning how to surf?

Click the PLAY BUTTON and watch young surfer kids in Praia Do Forte, Bahia-Brazil, having fun in the waves! And read below the video about how enjoying this popular sport is an essential part of the marine education project “CRIEAÇÂO”!

Teacher Israel (creator of “CRIEAÇÂO” ) and his science mentors & friends teach their local kids how to surf, and thereby expose the students to a basic education about what their ocean has to offer besides good waves: rich reefs worthy to protect, an exciting ocean floor, and of course the creatures that ultimately feed us, the human population.

“CRIEAÇÂO” is a perfect gift from the teachers to the young kids who dream about catching some good waves in Hawai`i one day…and with this simple method, Israel and his team automatically instill a sense of ownership among their young students to become responsible stewards of their ocean.

Talking about Hawai`i: “Save Our Seas” director & teacher Paul Clark on Kauai wants to adopt the system for his own teaching purposes with the local kids on “their Island”.

“Now, surfing would be right on the money as an additional tool to get kids engaged with the marine environment in a fun way!”, says Paul.

Paul & his school kids regularly venture out with snorkel, mask & fins to monitor the local reef’s livelihood and fish stocks around the area. Based on sound scientific methods Paul engages kids between ages 8 to 16 to take “ownership” of their ocean right in front of their door. Surfing would be another great activity to add onto his existing marine education program.

“Think globally, act locally” remains a great motto, and both the Brazilians and “Save Our Seas” represent positive role models for others how a “having fun, hands-on approach” translates into “Love”, which ultimately replaces the need to “rescue” something - simply because “Love” has the most important positive effect to keep ourselves, others & our Planet healthy.

The wise old Hawaiians taught their kids:

“Ina malama kakou I ke kai, na ke kai e malama is kakou -

If we take care of the Sea, the Sea will take care of us.”

which expresses so beautifully the concept of “Love”, leading to more love, more responsibility, more healing, and reduces the need for any “rescue operations”.

With this to all surfers, divers, OCEAN LOVERS: Happy & Loving Holidays!

Hopefully you have a chance to spend some moments at the beach, in the ocean, somewhere close to the magic place that I & so many others love so much!

With best Aloha - Thomas

PS: We proudly support “Save Our Seas” & “CRIEAÇÂO” in different ways. One of them is with our 100% UV-protective surf rash guards that feature the beautiful SOS logo.

“Stay healthy and have some great fun in the sun being 100% UV-protected!”

Here is a video message to you from my friend Biologist Terry Lilley in San Luis Obispo. He has been diving and filming all year long to put this together for us. Terry’s video conveys a strong message why it is important to protect, preserve and restore our oceans.

Terry swims with sharks (incl. Tigers and Great Whites!), rides big waves and shares his lizard zoo with the world, especially with school kids in California, thereby promoting his love for all living creatures.

He is a Maverick with a golden heart, and albeit I only know him from the phone and Internet, Terry is part of “my tribe” already - that’s for sure! He just turned 54 years young, and goes as strong as always.

Click on the PLAY BUTTON and watch this video to enjoy Terry’s vistas (Vincent Shay, http://www.vincentshayphotography.com, edited this piece for his friend Terry):

Join Save Our Seas now and help Terry and his colleagues to protect, preserve and restore our oceans!

Best Aloha to all Ocean Lovers! — Thomas

PS: Terry wears a very special 100% UV-protective surf rash guard, featuring the beautiful SOS logo. Proceeds from shirt sales are also going to SOS! (photo by Vincent Shay, http://www.vincentshayphotography.com)