The dolphin hunters of Fanalei Island, an area grappling with rising sea levels, follow a ritualistic early morning routine that includes a prayer led by a priest. As the tide surges, six men set out in wooden canoes to hunt dolphins, a traditional practice that is both a means of livelihood and cultural significance. The early morning darkness transforms into anticipation as the hunters scan the water for dolphin fins, signaling the start of their hunting expedition. This narrative encapsulates the community's deep connection to the sea and the urgent environmental challenges they face.
The call of a conch shell roused the dolphin hunters from their beds. Under moonlight, the six men shuffled to the village church.
After hours of scanning the horizon, one of the hunters, Lesley Fugui, saw a fin slice the glassy water.
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