NR 08-14-24 (Mayor Kawakami proclaims Aug. 14 as Tatiana Weston-Webb Day

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DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
REIKO MATSUYAMA, MANAGING DIRECTOR

News Release

For Immediate Release: August 14, 2024

Mayor Kawakami proclaims Aug. 14 as Tatiana Weston-Webb Day

LĪHU‘E – Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, in front of a packed crowd at the Mo‘ikeha Rotunda, proclaimed Aug. 14, 2024, as Tatiana Weston-Webb Day for her silver medal achievement in surfing at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games.

“To Tatiana, you make Kaua‘i so proud, and everyone here shares in this wave of emotion,” said Mayor Kawakami. “It is a tremendous honor to celebrate you and your ‘ohana, and recognize this huge accomplishment. Thank you for sharing this moment with all of us. You are an inspiration to our young children and our community.”

Kaua‘i County Councilmember Felicia Cowden echoed Mayor Kawakami and congratulated Weston-Webb.

“I just can't tell you how proud I am,” said Councilmember Cowden. “We are so proud and so honored to have you be recognized as among the best in the world. We thank you for being a good representative for Kaua‘i.”

Weston-Webb, a Kaua‘i native hailing from the North Shore, rose to the pinnacle of the international surfing world. She represented Brazil at the 2024 Olympics at Tahiti's renowned Teahupo’o surf break. Weston-Webb delivered stellar performances, leading her to the final heat of the competition. Despite a slow start due to challenging wave conditions, Tatiana’s resilience and competitive spirit shone through, leading to a silver medal finish.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamt of being an Olympian,” said Weston-Webb. “Thank you to the Mayor and County Council for having me and honoring me. This is something I never dreamed of. I express my deepest gratitude to you all for acknowledging me.”

Weston-Webb acknowledged pioneers in the surfing community for inspiring her ppgrowing up. Ultimately, she thanked her family and community for their love and support. It was Weston-Webb’s brother, Troy Weston-Webb, an Ocean Safety Officer with the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau, who got her into surfing.

“I started surfing because of my brother, Troy. He's so selfless. What he does for the county and Kaua‘i in general is beyond words. You're the one who taught me just to go. I would not have my fearlessness just to go without you in my life.”

Dignitaries included Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Sen. Pres. Ron Kouchi, Councilmember Felicia Cowden, Rep. Dee Morikawa, and Rep. Luke Evslin.

Lt. Gov. Luke emphasized the importance of Weston-Webb’s achievement in international competition.

“The Olympics is when the world comes together to showcase and inspire, by seeing athletes struggle through some of the challenges and overcome them,” said Lt. Gov. Luke. “Mahalo for what you do, Tatiana, and congratulations.”

Sen. Pres. Kouchi hopes to honor Weston-Webb at the state legislature next year.

“I hope between January and April, when the legislature is in session, that we will be able to get you to the committee,” Sen. Pres. Kouchi expressed to Tatiana. “I would like to work with our Kaua‘i group so that we can honor you at the state capitol and share you with the rest of the state.”

Rep. Morikawa and Rep. Evslin have been glued to the Olympics for the past two weeks and saw Tatiana’s win as a source of inspiration for the future of Kaua‘i.

Weston-Webb concluded the ceremony by thanking her family, friends, sponsors, and her community.

“Although I represent Brazil on the championship tour, I also represent Kaua‘i,” said Weston-Webb. “I couldn’t be prouder to call Kaua‘i my home. Thank you.”

To view the proclamation ceremony, visit Hō‘ike TV’s YouTube page, www.youtube.com/@hoiketv8275.

Mayor Kawakami on Wednesday proclaimed Aug. 14, 2024, as Tatiana Weston-Webb Day for her silver medal achievement in surfing at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games.

From left to right: Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, Tanira Guimaraes Weston-Webb, Doug Weston-Webb, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Troy Weston-Webb, Sen. Pres. Ron Kouchi, Rep. Dee Morikawa, and Rep. Luke Evslin.

Tatiana Weston-Webb with a group of friends, ‘ohana, dignitaries, and supporters, celebrating her silver medal achievement at the Līhu‘e Civic Center on Wednesday, Aug. 14.  

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