Paddling in the same direction

Volunteers with Surf For Special Needs help children prepare to paddle out Saturday evening to view manta rays. (Cameron Miculka/West Hawaii Today)

Children prepare to paddle out into Keauhou Bay for a manta ray viewing event on Saturday with Surf For Special Needs. (Cameron Miculka/West Hawaii Today)

Volunteers with Surf For Special Needs help children get in canoes to view manta rays Saturday evening at Keauhou Bay. (Cameron Miculka/West Hawaii Today)

Volunteers and families circle together for a blessing at the start of Surf For Special Needs’ manta ray viewing event Saturday at Keauhou Bay. (Cameron Miculka/West Hawaii Today)

A double-hulled canoe heads out to view manta rays at Keauhou Bay during an event hosted by Surf For Special Needs on Saturday. (Cameron Miculka/West Hawaii Today)

KEAUHOU — Their canoe pointed west, Miranda Natividad and her son Preston, 6, paddled their way into a sunset.