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The Mermaid of Kona, Hawaii
The Mermaid of Kona, Hawaii
While many people dream of mermaids—mythological aquatic creatures, with the body of a human and tail of a fish—few people actually try to become one. How can someone become a mermaid if they don’t exist? Just ask Dana Richardson, who is a professional mermaid in Hawaii! “As a child, I always felt very connected to the ocean and played mermaids in the water,” says Dana. “My love of the ocean took me to different types of work as a lifeguard, swim instructor, boat crew member, underwater photographer, snorkel instructor and safety swimmer, boat captain, surfer, and marine mammal naturalist. I just decided to take it to the next level and grow a tail!” Dana doesn’t mean literally. In 2008 she began making mermaid tails from sequins, fringe, and shiny fabric that she wears while free‐diving in the waters around Kona, Hawaii. Free‐diving means diving without any protective equipment. It requires you to hold your breath while swimming deep underwater. As she dives in, Dana not only looks like a mermaid; she experiences what it is like to swim like one, too. “Free‐diving is all self‐discipline and mind‐over‐matter,” she says. “Breath is a big part of free‐diving, relaxing the body and lungs in order for the body to stay oxygenated longer. That ultimately takes practice, discipline and patience.” © 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Mermaid of Kona, Hawaii
The waters around Dana’s home in Kona are filled with wildlife, including dolphins and whales. Kona means “leeward,” or dry side, of the island and has a sheltered sea where the waters are calm for swimming. Usually the winds bring rain to the other side of the island (sometimes called windward), but once they’ve lost their rain, they travel to the leeward side and keep the land dry. For ten years she has been swimming with Kona creatures. Some of them have even learned to recognize her. “When I’m swimming in the ocean I never touch or feed any of the sea life, and match whatever mood they are in out of respect. I let them come to me. I’ve had some amazing dolphin swims, and it’s very cool since I know a lot of them. Many times they have rubbed against me. One time in particular, a dolphin and I were swimming, and he stopped next to me and came so close, he put his dorsal fin under my arm and glided with me down about 40 feet.” Dana knows how to swim with sea life because she is a trained marine naturalist. She understands the behavior of sea life and knows how to safely interact with it. Every morning when she swims with sea life she gets to experience her other “home.” “The ocean beneath the depths really is another world. The waves, plankton, coral, fish, turtles, rays, dolphins, whales and sharks are all co‐related and need each other to survive. Watching how the world works so gracefully in that circle of life underwater is a beautiful thing.” Dana uses her platform as a mermaid to teach people to protect the ocean. Mermaids have appeared in folklore (which means traditional stories) from all parts of the world. In folklore they can be associated with goodwill and love, or with danger and shipwrecks. The most famous mermaid story may be Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little Mermaid,” which was adapted into a Disney cartoon in 1989. While mermaid sightings have been reported for centuries, the United States National Ocean Service stated in 2012 that no evidence of mermaids has ever been found. Some believe that the sightings have actually been of manatees, a marine mammal. Manatees are common in the Caribbean and are likely the creature Christopher Columbus reported as a mermaid. © 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Mermaid of Kona, Hawaii
For Dana Richardson being a mermaid just makes sense. “I’ve always felt more comfortable underwater than on land,” she says. “As a child I felt a strong draw to the ocean, and dreamed of communicating with whales and dolphins. As a mermaid, I now get to share the undersea magic!” Would you like to follow your dream, even if it seems outlandish? Dana reminds everyone, “One person can truly make a difference. By following your heart and offering the world your unique gifts, you will inspire others to do so. The world needs you!” © 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Questions: The Mermaid of Kona, Hawaii
Name:
_____________ Date: _______________________
1. Who is the mermaid of Kona, Hawaii?
A
B
C
D
Hans Christian Anderson
Dana Richardson
a member of the United States National Ocean Service
Christopher Columbus
2. Dana Richardson’s love of the ocean is a cause. What is one of its effects?
A
B
C
D
Manatees are common in the Caribbean.
The most famous mermaid story may be “The Little Mermaid.”
Dana Richardson swims like a mermaid.
Whales and sharks need each other to survive.
3. Real mermaids do not exist.
What information from the passage supports this statement?
A Mermaid sightings have been reported for centuries.
B “The Little Mermaid,” a famous story by Hans Christian Anderson, was adapted
into a Disney cartoon in 1989.
C Dana Richardson began making mermaid tails from sequins, fringe, and shiny
fabric in 2008.
D The United States National Ocean Service stated in 2012 that no evidence of
mermaids has ever been found.
4. What is one reason that Dana Richardson loves the ocean?
A She thinks that watching how the world works in the circle of life underwater is
a beautiful thing.
B Mermaids have appeared in folklore from all parts of the world.
C Following your dream may seem outlandish.
D Many people dream of mythological aquatic creatures with the body of a human
and tail of a fish.
1
®
© 2013 ReadWorks , Inc. All rights reserved.
Questions: The Mermaid of Kona, Hawaii
5. What is this story mainly about?
A the reasons some people believe that mermaid sightings have actually been
manatee sightings
B the United States National Ocean Service
C the difference between the leeward and windward side of an island
D a woman who loves the ocean so much that she swims in it like a mermaid
6. Read the following sentences: “Dana knows how to swim with sea life because she is
a trained marine naturalist. She understands the behavior of sea life and knows how to
safely interact with it.
What does the word marine mean?
A
B
C
D
having to do with the wind
having to do with the sea
not having much experience at something
not caring what other people think
7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.
Now Dana Richardson is a professional mermaid; ______, she worked as a lifeguard and
underwater photographer.
A
B
C
D
previously
currently
in closing
as an illustration
8. What is Dana Richardson’s advice about following your heart?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2
®
© 2013 ReadWorks , Inc. All rights reserved.
Questions: The Mermaid of Kona, Hawaii
9. Has Dana Richardson followed her heart? Explain why or why not, using evidence
from the passage.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
10. Based on her own experience, why might Dana Richardson believe it is important to
follow your heart? Support your answer with evidence from the passage.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3
®
© 2013 ReadWorks , Inc. All rights reserved.
Teacher Guide & Answers: The Mermaid of Kona, Hawaii
Teacher Guide & Answers
Passage Reading Level: Lexile 1010
1. Who is the mermaid of Kona, Hawaii?
A
B
C
D
Hans Christian Anderson
Dana Richardson
a member of the United States National Ocean Service
Christopher Columbus
2. Dana Richardson’s love of the ocean is a cause. What is one of its effects?
A
B
C
D
Manatees are common in the Caribbean.
The most famous mermaid story may be “The Little Mermaid.”
Dana Richardson swims like a mermaid.
Whales and sharks need each other to survive.
3. Real mermaids do not exist.
What information from the passage supports this statement?
A
B
Mermaid sightings have been reported for centuries.
“The Little Mermaid,” a famous story by Hans Christian Anderson, was adapted into a Disney
cartoon in 1989.
C Dana Richardson began making mermaid tails from sequins, fringe, and shiny fabric in 2008.
D The United States National Ocean Service stated in 2012 that no evidence of
mermaids has ever been found.
4. What is one reason that Dana Richardson loves the ocean?
A
She thinks that watching how the world works in the circle of life underwater is a
beautiful thing.
B Mermaids have appeared in folklore from all parts of the world.
C Following your dream may seem outlandish.
D Many people dream of mythological aquatic creatures with the body of a human and tail of a
fish.
5. What is this story mainly about?
A
B
C
D
the reasons some people believe that mermaid sightings have actually been manatee sightings
the United States National Ocean Service
the difference between the leeward and windward side of an island
a woman who loves the ocean so much that she swims in it like a mermaid
1
© 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Teacher Guide & Answers: The Mermaid of Kona, Hawaii
6. Read the following sentences: “Dana knows how to swim with sea life because she is a trained marine
naturalist. She understands the behavior of sea life and knows how to safely interact with it.
What does the word marine mean?
A
B
C
D
having to do with the wind
having to do with the sea
not having much experience at something
not caring what other people think
7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.
Now Dana Richardson is a professional mermaid; ______, she worked as a lifeguard and underwater
photographer.
A
B
C
D
previously
currently
in closing
as an illustration
8. What is Dana Richardson’s advice about following your heart?
Suggested answer: Answers may vary, but all should recognize that Dana Richardson recommends
following your heart. She states that by doing so and “offering the world your unique gifts,” you will
inspire others to follow their heart as well.
9. Has Dana Richardson followed her heart? Explain why or why not, using evidence from the passage.
Suggested answer: Explanations may vary, but students should recognize that Dana Richardson has
followed her heart. She has been drawn to the ocean since childhood and pursued her love of it as a
lifeguard, underwater photographer, professional mermaid, and more.
10. Based on her own experience, why might Dana Richardson believe it is important to follow your heart?
Support your answer with evidence from the passage.
Suggested answer: Answers may vary. Students may note that Dana Richardson believes following your
heart is important because she has done so herself and is happy with the results. She has loved the ocean
since childhood, and by pursuing that love through such activities as free-diving like a mermaid, she has
had wonderful undersea experiences.
2
© 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.