“There’s our champion.” He set aside his guitar and joined them, wrapping an arm around Sailor. “Congratulations on your win, son. You made us all proud out there.”
Sailor embraced his father. “You’re the one who got me started.”
As they moved through the room, greeting volunteers, taking photos, and making last-minute adjustments, Maileah was filled with gratitude.
This event had become more than a fundraiser; it was a testament to the cohesiveness of the island community and the strength that comes from pursuing a dream.
She looked at Sailor and smiled.
At that moment, something shifted in her, and she knew.
She belonged here on this island, making a difference. It had taken her a while to figure this out, but she was more confident of her way forward than she’d ever been.
Soon, people began to arrive, and the room was filled with chatter and laughter. A line formed at the tiki bar, and servers circulated with appetizers. People signed up for silent auction items, with many items drawing competitive bidding wars.
Maileah smiled, watching them. This was what she’d hoped for.
Once everyone was seated and servers delivered plates of grilled seafood or pasta, Ella took to the podium to thank everyone. She asked all the surfing participants to stand, and attendees applauded their efforts.
Next up was Mayor Isabelle, who praised everyone involved for contributing to the community efforts. “And now, our live auction will get underway: Broken Boards for Unbroken Spirits. Each one has a story. Maileah and Sailor, will you kick off the auction for us?”
Maileah took Sailor’s hand, and they made their way to the podium.
“First, I’ll explain how the bidding process will work,” Maileah said. She introduced the volunteers who would take bids from the floor and by phone. “Sailor will give a history on each broken or banged-up board and explain how it got in that condition.”
Sailor leaned in toward the microphone. “I’ll ask each surfer to rise and add anything they want.”
“Our first item up for bid,” Maileah began as a volunteer displayed a broken board.
Sailor grinned. “It was an early morning in Hawaii, and Aaron was surfing giant waves at Pipeline…”
Applause and cheers went up as Aaron stood. Kiana looked up at her husband with admiration.
After Sailor told the story and Aaron embellished it, the bidding took off. Maileah had engaged a professional auctioneer from Los Angeles, and he smoothly took over.
Competition was intense, and the bids soared. Maileah knew there was a popular restaurant in Las Vegas bidding on one phone line, a surfing memorabilia collector on another, and a celebrity on yet another line.
When the auctioneer’s gavel finally came down, Maileah was astounded at the amount a broken surfboard went for.
Sailor was, too. He whispered to her, “This is stuff we would have thrown away. Brilliant idea, Maisie.”
She smiled and went on to the next item. Again, bids soared. More boards were auctioned, with the bidding becoming even more competitive. The colorful, local artist-embellished boards with surfer’s handprints and signatures came next.
At last, Sailor’s board was up for auction.
Sailor began, “This is one of mine that met its fate in Nazaré, Portugal. That monster wave came in heavy and fast and got the better of me that day.”
He held it high, and the bidding reached a fevered pace. Finally, the gavel came down.
“To the gentleman at that table,” the auctioneer announced.
Ryan stood. “That one will have a home at the Majestic. We take care of our hometown heroes.”
The locals cheered, and Sailor went into the crowd to give Ryan a bro hug. “Mahalo, man. You’re a stand-up kind of guy.”
Quickly, Maileah snapped a photo. Then she gathered the surfers, their boards, and new owners to take more photos.
The mayor stepped up to the microphone again. “Finally, I’d like to introduce a very talented man you all know. Talent clearly runs in their family. Join me in welcoming the owner of Regal Bikes and Sailor’s father, Adrian Marino, performing the smash hit he wrote for this event, ‘Unbroken.’”
