Palekana Kelamoku

"The squall knocked us from our course to Agartha, and we found ourselves being torn plank by plank from the winds and sharp waves. We thought that we were on death's door, until the most fantastic sight came upon us: women of the water, beautiful and radiant as divine messengers, coming to our aid!"

— Historical report from Le Brouteur de Mer

The waters around the 'Oki Islands have always been dangerous, prone to chaotic changes from calm to murderous in barely any time, which has left many sailors experienced and novice alike falling victim to its onslaught.

While many have lost their lives, just as many have been saved by the timely intervention of the islanders, both those experienced in sailing and those who live underwater and can swim it as easily as flat grasslands. Throughout the past, these have been individuals doing good deeds on their own, but as they entered the world stage on a greater foot post-Border Wars, the government of the Islands decided codifying these people into an official, albeit volunteer, group of rescuers, always at the ready when disaster strikes.

History

The official formation of the Palekana Kelamoku, roughly translated to Helping Sailor but often called the Savior Sailors for alliteration, was a recent development only happening roughly two decades ago. It's history, however, spans back centuries. There's no exact founding date, as reports have been made of 'Oki Island natives taking on the task of rescuing ships and crews have been littered throughout history, but many stories talk of Moana Honu, a folk hero of sorts. On the island of Mauna ʻĪmaka, Moana was a Turtlekin member of the Ocean Clan, the Hohonu'ohana, and a storied sailor! When he got too old to sail the choppy seas himself, he kept at the docks and beaches to teach the others, young and old, and keep his eyes out for any storms.

While it wasn't uncommon to drag sailors in danger back to land, with Moana's experience and force of personality, they personally coordinated many efforts to do just that, and helped teach the rescuers and the rescued the proper way to go with the waves, no matter how harsh. Because of this, they're often seen as the grandfather of the now-official organization.

Structure & Membership

Since the Palekana Kelamoku is a volunteer organization, there isn't a lot of strict hierarchy to it. That being said, when the call is made and the mission is underway, they tend to follow the standard positions one can find on a ship, with one of their number being the Koho'ia Kapena, the elected captain.

That being said, there is a figurehead of the organization, who not only is relied upon to be a wise captain but a charismatic public face, Kalei Aʻukū, one of the greatest swimmers of the current generation and a naval Captain outside of her volunteer work. (Even though the 'Oki Islands don't have that large of a military)

The official number of Kelamoku enlisted in the group is more than 300 around the whole of the 'Oki Islands, with at least 60 of them being specifically based in Mauna ʻĪmaka. That being said, there are many more who aid the relief efforts who aren't a part of the organization officially, especially the Merfolk who swim out ahead of the crew to be the first responders.

Theological Ties

While not an inherently religious duty or group, violent storms are seen as the domain of Pepehi Nalu, one of Gaia's Totems and the manifestation of violent waves and storms. When the rescuers that led to this organization became popular, some faithful especially among the Ocean and Shore clans were opposed, as they saw victims as losing against His Waves, and in loss becoming a part of the Hemolele'ohana and the waves themselves. While they weren't a majority, they were debated against by explaining that most of the sailors they saved were foreigners without fur, fin, feathers, or any other features, and so the Totems would hate to digest them.