Jim Watt returned to the ocean where he belonged. His close friends and family members took a boat ride and scattered his ashes into the ocean in the morning on Sunday, July 22nd, 2007. Many familiar faces were there to see him off. We tried to keep our smiley faces to celebrate his glorious life throughout the event, but we easily burst into tears when we started to pay tribute to his beautiful life while grabbing each others' hands in a circle. It was such an emotional ride for everybody, and all of us cried out loud when his ashes went into the ocean. We threw many flowers with prayers and tears as we circled him several times. I poured a bottle of rum as well as my tears into the ocean. Rum & Coke was his favorite drink of all time, and we spent much time over that brown cocktail talking about our next adventures.

I know that it will be very strange and even awkward not to see him physically off Kona Coast any longer as he was such a big part of this Hawaiian water, and whenever we both were out, we closely communicated with each other. Although the time may eventually resolve such awkwardness, everything will be alright as he lives forever in my heart and that of others whose lives were also touched by him. I can "feel" him everyday when I see the ocean, smell the sea breeze, and taste the salt water...fortunately for me those are daily events in Kona, Hawaii. I feel extremely lucky to get to know him that well. It was a great honor and such a privilege to have spent nine years of my life with the great man and inspiring photographer like Jim Watt in this paradise.

As we were about to return to the dock with our heads down after we were emotionally drained offshore, something magical happened. Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins suddenly showed up by our boat and escorted us to the Keauhou Harbor. We all felt that was Jim cheering us up and saying goodbye to us. Thanks for the great memories, Jim.

"Let's go out and have fun tomorrow, Jim. I'll meet you out there, buddy."

Masa Ushioda