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Richard
Roshon has been described as the Jane Goodall of the sea. Spending much of his younger life living on a sailboat in the Hawaiian Archipelago, he has sailed throughout the
Hawaiian Islands, the Philippines, the east coast of Japan, and on numerous
Trans-Pacific sailboat races from California to Honolulu, Hawaii. Richard
has surfed the big waves of Hawaii from Sunset Beach to Hanalei, and
has competed in the 50-mile outrigger canoe race from the island of
Molokai to Oahu, Hawaii.
In the
early 1970's Richard was introduced to the Eskimo Kayak. The kayak has
become his tool, allowing him to view Nature (primarily North Pacific
Humpback whales) peacefully and with respect.
Since 1975
Richard has logged thousands of miles, circumnavigating the Hawaiian
Islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. His longest trek has
been from his home on Maui across the Alenuihaha channel to the big
island of Hawaii, a 22-hour trek.
In the
1980's while displaying his North Pacific Humpback whale photographs
at the Kapalua Bay Hotel on Maui, Richard met actor Mr. George Peppard.
It was through Mr. Peppard's interest in producing a documentary of Richard's
life, which has enabled Richard to log his findings and experiences
with North Pacific Humpback whales and other marine life, through film,
and still photographs. Unfortunately Mr. Peppard died in May of 1994,
before a film could be completed.
Since then Richard has fascinated audiences from Maui, Hawaii to South Africa through his multi-media, human-interest presentations, which share personal experiences of kayaking throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago and up-close observations of many of the oceans species.
In addition
to his lectures, in 1999 Richard self-published his first book "Okeanos-Great
River Circling the Earth". Ms. Liz Janes Brown of the Maui News,
compliments Richards book by viewing it as a volume that celebrates
nature, and emphasizes the fragility of the environment and pleads for
good stewardship.
Not surprisingly, Richard is a vigorous advocate for the protection
of the sea and it's species. Richard is strongly opposed to the captivity of marine mammals, and was strongly opposed to the Hawaii Super-Ferry. This ferry would of operated within the boundaries of the North Pacific Humpback whale sanctuary - the mating and birthing areas of North Pacific Humpback whales averaging speeds of over 35 miles per hour. And accident waiting to happen.
In 1999
Richard was the guest speaker at the Hermanus Whale Festival in South
Africa. Hermanus, South Africa prides itself in "Shore Based Whale
Watching Only" no motorized boats. Southern Right Whales, and Humpback
whales migrate to this area from the Antarctica to mate and give birth.
Upon his return home Richard created "Guidelines for a proposed
Marine Sanctuary". These guidelines were forwarded to Mr. Valli
Moosa, Environmental Minister of South Africa, and later implemented
- which created a marine sanctuary in which no whale-watching boats
are allowed. "Shore Based Whale Watching" only. More of this
South African journey can be found under Articles.
Richard
writes: "Walk lightly and leave no footprints. Wild life needs
more than just protection it needs direct human help. All too many species
survive by our consent alone. For better or for worse we have become
the keepers of the wild."
Words
of Praise for Richard Roshon
January 2008
Dear Mr. Roshon,
I hope you remember me, I was the student who appealed for your opinions and help regarding a science project on marine mammal tourism. I must sincerely apologize for having not replied in such a long time, I've been busy but I recognize it doesn't count as an excuse. Your help was invaluable to the success of my project, I received an A+ grade on it
I have also received the incredibly generous package you posted over here containing all I could have asked for and more. Thank you for the book especially, I have spent quite the hours delving within its pages, and your work continues to fascinate me; I have yet to complete the entire book but I'm sure I will soon.
Again, I apologize for my lateness and lack of courtesy regarding my reply, I want you to know I have deeply appreciated your help and thank you for it. As always, may God bless you for the work you do reveling in His creation. It is not too impossible our paths might cross again in the future, and I will be able to experience richness of the experiences you offer first hand.
Yours sincerely,
Natalie NG Gisborne
Vic., Australia 2008
"I
have been waiting to have a little 'jewel' of a time to write to you,
because I want to treasure the thoughts again of how wonderful it
was on so many levels to have you as the guest speaker at the 2005
Inland Sea Kayak Symposium here in Washburn, Wisconsin.
"Words
hardly describe how great it was to have you here for both personal
and professional reasons. You kicked-ass as the guest speaker and
presence at the event, you must know that from the feedback you got
during the event and afterwards. I will send you copies of some evaluations
with specific comments.
"I
must say it was a GREAT idea to have you come here with the
Hawaiian theme!!!!! We can hardly get over how well it all went,
how enthusiastic and turned on the participants were and how much
FUN it was. People loved it and they loved YOU. Your life, sincerity,
your eccentricity, your passion and commitment drew people in and
created a foundation for the event Rick. Your keynote presentation
is awesome, beautiful, thought provoking, inspiring and caring."
Gail
Green
Founder "Adventures in Perspective"
Bayfield, Wisconsin
"Richard Roshon has a deep and long experience in non-invasive observations
of the Humpback Whales. I have experienced his lecture and recommend
it to all that have and interest in whales. His knowledge is deep and
detailed. His photographs are both beautiful and enlightening. His presentation
is very professional and well-received by all."
Merrill P. Spencer
M.D. Dir. Institute of Applied, Physiology and Medicine
Seattle, Washington
"Mr.
Roshon is a devoted naturalist and conservationist. He paddles hundreds
of miles each year following pods of the great Humpback Whales. He has
been rewarded by their acceptance of his quiet presence by rising and
playing mere feet from his fragile craft, aware that his is a benign
and friendly presence."
Mr. George Peppard
Actor
"Today
we bid farewell to Richard Roshon from Hawaii who is a gentle soul,
passionate about the well being of whales, and who has left us with
serious food for thought and action. His lectures drew unprecedented
interest from the public and the media."
The Hermanus Whale Festival Hermanus
South Africa
"Thanks for the presentation that you made at Ball State University
on April 16th, as part of our Earth Week 2002 activities. From conversations
with those who attended, your message of appreciation for nature and
ideas for marine conservation was very well received. The discussion
of whales and sharks, coupled with your understanding of the ocean environment
was very educational. Your photographic images were awe inspiring and
reinforced the words that you delivered. Overall, I believe that your
presentation was very appropriate to reinforce the importance of protecting
the environment that is associated with Earth Week. "
Hugh Brown
Chair and Associate Professor, Ball State University
"To a person, Richard Roshon is a man of his convictions. He is
an honest, truthful, aware, intelligent, and caring individual. These
qualities might be a detriment…for most people these adjectives would
be proudly displayed on a resume, as they are intended. For Richard
they are a way of life, many people are afraid to stand by their beliefs
for fear that someone may not like them due to their opinions. As an
honest, truthful, aware, intelligent and caring man he must stand by
his convictions! And he does.
"If you read between the lines of his Bio you will understand more
about who Richard Roshon is, if you experience his lectures you have
a greater insight still. And if you experience his world on the water,
well there are no adjectives appropriate for that encounter. Being able
to share these treasures with a limited number of guests (one at a time)
is certainly unfortunate for those who didn't get the chance to come
along. That leaves the masses to experience his lectures, which are
passionate to say the least.
"Why do visitors come to Maui? Certainly not because they can find
what we have to offer at home. The Hawaiian Islands, it is no secret,
are unique. Her natural resources are tremendous although not in a limitless
supply. Sometimes we forget this, Richard helps us to remember and understand
that extinction IS forever and by paving paradise we are only
encouraging the process for an ever-increasing list.
"Do us all a favor and listen to Richards multi-media program entitled,
"Man, Kayak and the Whale". By increasing awareness, intelligence and
the truth you might help raise our quality of life."
T. Adam Quinn
Director Maui Eco-Adventures
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