Tag: Conch Shell

The Unexpected Hawaiian Pu

Many things make Cape May County, NJ special.  It is a great vacation destination at the southernmost tip of the state.  It stands out with its historic Victorian architecture and gas street lights, its rich arts and music scene, and its wide open protected natural spaces.  But there is a lesser-known special thing happening nearly every evening in the county – a traditional native Hawaiian Pu.

Kevin, The Conch Shell Guy

While my loved ones and I have been visiting and creating family traditions in Cape May County for more than two decades, there is another person with his own very special and unique local tradition.  Since I first started taking walks at sunset on the beach on Fern Road in 2015, I have seen Kevin and his conch shell, and I love sharing his great story.

Dreams Come True Cottage

Our little beach cottage, Dreams Come True Cottage,  is a Cape Cod-style home between the Villas and Town Bank in the Cape May Beach neighborhood.  We are 387 steps from the dunes, and THE BEST thing about any visit to this part of Cape May County is the sunset.  The sun sets daily over Delaware Bay, with quiet waves lapping against the sandy shores of the west side of the southernmost county of New Jersey.  Forget the boardwalks, beach tags, and crowds of the ocean that sit only a few miles away.  The bayside beaches are home to the best secret of Cape May County, and this is where Kevin performs his special tradition.

Kevin retired to the county and loved the area as well.  Each day, on as many of the 365 days in the year as the weather will allow, Kevin walks to the water’s edge near Fern, Forest, and Hollywood Roads which all run parallel to each other and perpendicular to the beach, ending at sandy paths which lead to the water.

Gathering for The Pu

As the sun lowers each day, you see locals and visitors gather, some on foot and some setting up a blanket or chairs, all with a plan to stay for a spell.  You may see children laughing in the distance up the beach north toward the Villas, and maybe some dogs romping along the water’s edge in the southern direction toward the Cape May ferry launch.  But the small group that is gathering on this warm summer evening is here for the end-of-day ceremony performed by Kevin nearly every night of the year.

Except on the worst weather days of winter, there are only a few days that Kevin misses, and a few of his most loyal followers join for most sunsets as well.  Kevin was trained and has embraced the ancient Hawaiian ritual of blowing on the Conch shell, also known as Pū, pronounced ‘poo’ in Hawaiian.  The Pu is seen as a gift from the life-giving waters of the ocean, with a sound that flows across the ‘Aina (land).

The quiet ceremony that Kevin performs each evening is a deep part of Hawaiian culture.  While he has performed for many ceremonies, including at the US Capital in Washington DC for dignitaries, what he does each sunset in Cape May Beach, NJ on the sand is a beautiful and respectful way to say goodbye and thanks (Mahalo) to the day.

His voice resonates, and he blows the Pu, taking a turn in each cardinal direction, North, South, East, and West to represent the coagulation of the powers of the na Akua or gods.  He begins reciting the native language of respect.  Blowing the Pu is a call to the divine and Kevin adheres to a protocol with specific sequence and timing.  The blows symbolize the journey of the Ancient Hawaiians as well as our journey in eternal ways.

The Giant Tritan

Kevin’s giant Tritan was a gift from a sailor who found it on his way from Tahiti and Vanuatu islands in the South Pacific Ocean on his way up to Hawaii  The shell was passed to someone in Hawaii who knew how great it would be for Kevin to use, and so it was sent to a place in Florida where the conch was tested for its instrumental quality, deemed beautiful, and then fitted with the brass ring mouthpiece.

The Best Sunset In Cape May

… is the one you don’t want to end

The sun continues its fall below the horizon, about the same time that a stand-up paddleboarder crosses the water in front of the orange ball that is shimmering on the water. On many days, Kevin and the unnamed paddleboarder have their traditions synchronized. The ceremony ends, the conch is drawn down to Kevin’s side, and the beach feels immediately cooler and darker. We linger for a while, as do other visitors on this evening of many evenings, not wanting our day to end quite yet.

Providing a sense of peace, community, and appreciation for nature’s gifts, Kevin’s ancient daily ritual enriches the lives of visitors and neighbors in the Cape May Beach neighborhood of Lower Township, NJ.  His respectful and enduring performance is impressive, and the contributions he makes to our visits and the end of our day are greatly appreciated.  Thank you, Kevin.  We will come back again and again in our shared love of this place.  We hope to see you again soon.

Start a New Tradition In Cape May

…Visit Kevin The Conch Shell Guy.

The next time you find yourself in Cape May County, perhaps even staying as a guest at Dreams Come True Cottage, pay a visit to the beach at the end of Fern Road at sunset.  Say “hello” to Kevin and his beautiful musical instrument. 

Zanis – Schmidt Family Cape May Memories With Loved Ones Over The Decades

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