Sunday, May 16, Today's Paper Kate Companion said she is fascinated by the Hawaiian Monk Seal, in part because it is unique to the islands and also because it is endangered. The Kanani character is her age, she said, and that gave her the idea to share her passion for ecology, animals and especially the Hawaiian monk seal. Otherwise, it may have been an anonymous donation during a visit to attend a wedding.
However, as if on cue, a 2-year-old monk seal named T decided to rest on the nearby Shipwreck Beach. The event was moved to the new location and gave the ceremony more meaning. Companion said she saw the animal move to slighter higher ground once the waves got too close.
During their last trip last year, they saw a monk seal. Her father said she is very independent and passionate about her causes. Instead of presents for her 7th birthday, he said she asked that donations be made to a local school for homeless kids. You should have seen her selling hot chocolate outside during January in Seattle. At home, Companion is also passionate about the outdoors and wildlife. She enjoys hiking at Mt. Giving might be its own reward, but her new Monk Seal Watch friends showered the girl with gifts, including a small monk seal stuffed toy.
Lee based her characters in part on himself and other program members from interviews and relationships. The central character in the book, Kanani, has since become the largest selling doll in the American Girl series, he added.
Kate said she was excited to learn that several of the volunteers she met had inspired the characters in the book. Kanani is a year-old Hawaiian girl, who has a passion for protecting monk seals. She sells shaved ice treats to raise money for a nonprofit group that protects the endangered the sea mammal known only to the Hawaiian Islands. The books and related merchandise are made available in catalogs that reach 41 million homes, he said.
