Say aloha to @mr_gru! 😎⁠ ⁠⁠ 🏝️ What is your STORY? ⁠ "Aloha! My name is Nick Gruen, I’m a commercial photographer and drone operator based out of the lovely North Shore of Oahu. I’ve grown up around the ocean and feel like I have a close relationship with her. I was in ocean safety for 6 years, I love diving, surfing and capturing life in and out of the water. A few years ago, I was shooting the surf at the infamous Pipeline break, when I took a major blow getting sucked over the falls and hitting a reef. I broke my back & 7 vertebrae that day. I think it’s important to know that we will never be able to be stronger than the ocean and her might but that we can be educated in ways to prevent injury or even worse from happening. I believe ocean and water knowledge/safety is a must for anyone visiting our island home... If it could happen to me with my whole life experience in the water, it could happen to anyone." ⁠ ⁠ 🏝️ How do you resonate with Ho'omau Hawai'i?⁠ "I love the idea of Ho'omau Hawai'i because to be honest.. we are outnumbered and we need to educate and help those visiting our home. Like I've mentioned before, the ocean is no place to be taken lightly. I’ve participated in hundreds of ocean rescues and have seen people get very hurt and worse."⁠ ⁠ Mahalo for sharing your story, Nick, and for wanting to keep everyone safe in the waters of Hawai'i 💙 ⁠ ⁠ Read more on the link on our bio!