Please tell us a little about yourself with a simple intro:
Hi, I’m Angie. I was born and raised in Northern California and had an adventurous journey living in different parts of the country before Hawaiʻi became home nearly four years ago. I moved here to reconnect with my beautiful North Shore family. Along the way, I also fell in love with the local community, the land, and the ocean in a way I didn’t expect.I’m a speech-language pathologist and serve as the Executive Director of Kindred Connection, a local nonprofit that supports keiki and families in building communication, confidence, and connection. If you’re curious, you can learn more about Kindred Connection here.
How did you first hear about AccesSurf? When did you start?
I first learned about AccesSurf at a paddling event in Kahana Bay, where I met Ann Yoshida, one of our staff members and a Paracanoe World Champion. I was inspired by her story and the way she refuses to be defined by limitations. She invited me to a Day at the Beach event, and I immediately wanted to check it out.Before my first event, I attended volunteer training with Angie Atkins, and that’s when I realized this organization was different. She delivered the training with so much care while emphasizing independence, dignity, and respect. And she made it clear that it’s not only meaningful work, it’s a fun day at the beach with friends. Then I experienced my first AccesSurf event…and I knew I had found my people.I started volunteering in January 2024, and now I sign up for every opportunity I can.
What does AccesSurf mean to you?
AccesSurf is a place where people show up for each other. Fully, consistently, and with heart.In my role as Lead Scheduler, I have the privilege of welcoming and connecting with every surfer and family at the event. I see the nerves, the excitement, and the hope. And then I get to watch them enter the ocean and do something they weren’t sure was possible.Day at the Beach is the highlight of the month for many of our surfers and volunteers, including me. This is more than a volunteer event. It’s a group that shows up rain or shine, all year long. Over time, it becomes family. When a regular volunteer or surfer isn’t there, we notice. We miss them. And we look forward to reconnecting with them again.
What is your favorite AccesSurf memory?
I honestly can’t choose just one.When I try, I’m flooded with so many special moments —
- A brave soul overcoming their fears and placing complete trust in their team
- Someone standing up on the board and feeling that moment of “I did it.”
- A Hawaiʻi native who has lived on this island their entire life finally entering the ocean because AccesSurf made it possible
- A mother and daughter, both navigating their own challenges, riding waves side by side
- The party waves, when multiple surfers catch a wave and ride it in together and the beach goes wild.
- It’s high-fiving a surfer as they come in from a session with a huge grin from ear to ear.
- It’s the many stories. All the incredible paths that brought people to this community.
It’s never just about surfing. It’s about what shifts inside someone when they realize they can do something brave — and that they don’t have to do it alone.
