In contrast to most feline companions who shy away from water, Hokule'a, affectionately known as Hoku, has gained online stardom for her remarkable swimming and surfing skills.
Hoku was born with a tail deformity, which made her tailbone thicker than usual. At the age of eight months, Alessia and Pat welcomed Hoku into their lives.
"It was extremely shy, always in a state of trepidation. It would hide under the bed or burrow into our bed covers," Pat told The Dodo. However, after just two weeks of exploring her new home, Hoku started to become more sociable and began capturing the attention of humans.
ads
The couple mentioned that as Hoku grew closer to her "parents," she always sought to be close to them, even following them into the bathroom, the pool, or the garden, without concern for getting wet. "Our previous cats liked their alone time and enjoyed their solitude, but Hoku is quite the opposite. She spends 24 hours with us," added Pat.
Through numerous instances like this, Alessia and Pat discovered that their beloved pet had an immense love for water. Unlike most cats that would leap away at the mere touch of water, Hokule'a relished going to the beach with her "parents" and lounging on a surfboard to soak in Hawaii's breathtaking scenery.
ads
"There was one time when we tried taking Hoku to the beach and placed her on a surfboard. I thought she would be frightened and panicked. However, to our surprise, she suddenly jumped into the sea and swam alongside us. We were genuinely amazed. When we got home, I did some research and found out that some cat breeds are really fond of playing with water," Pat shared with The Fluffy Kitty.
Hoku loved joining Alessia and Pat for surfing sessions. Initially, they set up a small bed on the surfboard to ensure her comfort as she gazed out at the sea. But as she got more accustomed to it, Hoku started walking on the board and even leaped into the water to swim alongside her two human companions.
The Hawaiian couple noted that finding suitable spots for all three of them to swim together was quite a challenge. "We avoid places with people and dogs because Hoku is afraid of both, which is not easy to do in Hawaii since the beaches are always crowded," Pat explained.
This feline's name was inspired by a distinctive canoe type in Hawaiian culture – Hklea, meaning the star of joy. It's also an alternative name for the star Arcturus, the "guiding star" of ancient Polynesian sailors on their way to the Hawaiian Islands.
In addition to her love for surfing and napping, Hoku enjoys taking scenic walks. She has her own Instagram account to document her memorable moments, with over 21,000 followers on her personal page.