November 20, 2004
If you would like to post a message re: Scott Kudo, please send to info@venturasurfclub.org
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Received Sept 3, 2004
Sorry for the generic-ness of this email but I wanted everyone to know I am okay, even good.
I am getting settled and feel like I am home. The Hawaiians treat me like family and the ocean treats me like a best friend.
I surf at dawn and see plenty honu (sea turtles). I have been surrounded with love and caring each day and night.
Scott’s spirit soars here and it takes me on a wonderful journey. I still cry missing his voice and arms around me but his friends give me plenty of aloha and it eases the void.
I miss you all and think of you each day.
The water is Hot, I wish it was a little cooler but I will get used to it one day.
I have a pool here so I jump in a few times a day or go swim in the ocean to cool off.
My son is with me and it has been a blessing.
I am still exhausted from the move and all and I figure by next week I will have my sleep somewhat more normal. Now I get up at 1:30am but get a lot done J
I surf at 5:30am here so 8:30 in California.
The waves have been plenty and good sized and I am scared but just go for it anyway.
I love you all and you have made my life richer by being a part of it and you always will.
You are in my prayers and I hope you are all well and happy.
Malama pono (take care)
Aloha Nui Loa,
Colleen Kudo
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Received August 27, 2004
We are heading out, not the way we had planned but we go together and part of us will always be here in Ventura.
There are no words to express my thanks; nor are there words to describe my sorrow over Scott’s death.
We were happy here and we loved you all very much. You have been and will always be a part of our family.
This is a picture of Hilo where we were moving. It was one of our favorite days.
Surfing dawn at C Street was a big part of our life and these last few months it has truly been my salvation. Without being in the ocean each morning with all of you I do not think I could have made it.
I have more questions then answers and do not know what Hawaii will bring. If nothing else you will find me surfing the south shore at dawn and eating plate lunch at Rainbows.
Hawaiians believe words have power and your have had the power to make a difference in my life and my husbands.
One day Jeff left this torn envelope with a few kind words on it for Scott when we had first started coming to Ventura to surf. It was one of his most precious possessions. I keep it in my wallet to remind myself of how we were welcomed and cared for here.
You never know when a kind word or gesture makes all the difference.
So what you can catch waves, can you make someone smile? That is truly worth being proud of.
Well, I just wanted to say goodbye and thank you somehow and this was the best I came up with.
Aloha Nui Loa,
Colleen
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Received April 10, 2004
I just wanted to say mahalo (thank you) again (and again) for all that you do for Scott and I.
I am in Palm Springs right now and seeing my daughter and grandson. I was just really
missing Scott, surfing, everyone at C street so I went to your site. There I found the
link for Scott and got to look at all that love and all those tender moments that got me
through such a horrendous time. I saw a picture of Uncle Larry and I haven't seen him for
awhile but just seeing his picture I had to smile.
What a gift that whole site is (especially for me!). I have had friends of
Scott's from Chicago, New York, Georgia, and Hawaii all going to your site.
They are amazed and so very grateful for it.
When I was in Hawaii I used to go there just to look at everyone and it was
such a comfort.
Any way, I am grateful to be back in California and be able to surf again at
our very favorite place in the whole world. Scott requested that I take half his ashes to Hawaii to some of special places and his childhood surfing spots. Half are to be saved for when I pass away and then we will have someone mix our ashes and let them go at C Street. That's what we decided a long time ago, so you will be stuck with us forever.
Gotta go, hope surf was great all weekend.
Aloha Nui,
Colleen Kudo (and Scott too, I know he is always still with me)
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Received February 19, 2004
Hi,
I'm not a member of the club but have surfed C-Street and places nearby for years. I was just "surfing" the web and came across your webpage and saw the picture of Scott. I didn't really know him but I would see him when I would hit the dawn patrol. He was always out there. He was the friendliest guy. I always looked forward to surfing with him. We would always trade some sort of comment, usually that he initiated. I hadn't seen him around for quite awhile and just figure he moved or something. I'm very sorry to hear about his passing and send prayers to his family and friends. By the way, great webpage…
Aloha
Jamie Wagner
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Received February 18, 2004
I just heard the terrible news about my cousin, Scott. If possible I would like to hear about the type of person he was from the people that knew him. I remember when I was younger (like 9 years old) I went out to Hawaii and he took me out surfing for the first time. I was scared to death, but it was so much fun. Then he left me there as he went swimming to go find my other cousin. It wasn't until last year that I took up surfing and now I go like 4 times a week after work down here in San Diego.
Anyway, I was just wondering if that were possible. Thank you,
Ryan Murphy
Ryan Murphy [ryanmurphy75@hotmail.com]
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Caution! News Report Quicktime movie file is a VERY large file - High speed Internet connection required
(If you wish to receive a copy of the news report on CD, please contact Michael Mariani)
The following is from the March VSC Newsletter:
Those of us who are early morning surfers had the good fortune to have had some of our own special aloha through Scott Kudo. He was born and raised in Hawaii, and for many years was a lieutenant on the Hawaiian Water Safety Force. If I am not mistaken he inhabited a lifeguard tower at Ala Moana.
Here in Ventura, Scott was usually the first person in the water, often before it was even really light. He was a soft spoken and gentle man that was totally of and about the ocean. He touched so many people’s lives in so many ways.....for some making them feel safer in the water knowing that he was watching out for them, sending someone back to land when the waves were getting too big, or advising them not to go in on certain days. For others, it was the example of who he was and how he surfed that was an inspiration. Scott surfed when the waves were double overhead and when it was knee high. For him it was about being in the ocean, feeling the spirit and energy.
After struggling with illness for 8 months that was a “conundrum” for doctors who could not diagnose his condition, a Ventura doctor had finally figured out what he had and had started the proper treatments. Scott was starting to feel better and he and his wife Colleen were so happy.............then the brain hemorrage occurred and Scott’s brain was so damaged that he could not exist off of life support.
The Ventura surf community came together and had a beautiful paddle out for Scott, and we all agree that his spirit is still there in the Cove with us. Even in his passing, he brought many of us closer together to share the spirit of aloha.
