MEDIA RELEASE

The Surfers Healing Foundation – Hawai’i Island Chapter will be hosting a 2 – day event for children with Autism and other disabilities. The first event is scheduled for Friday, November 25th at Hilo’s Palace Theater from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The public is invited to meet the founders of Surfers Healing, register for the surf camp and enjoy a short documentary surf filmed titled “Clay Marzo: Just Add Water”, produced and directed by Strider Wasilewski and Jamie Tlerney. An inspiring surf movie featuring Clay Marzo- a 22 year-old professional surfer from Maui who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a form of autism in December 2007. Admission is free. Marzo is currently on the World Surfing Tour.

On Saturday, November 26th, the Honoli’i Paka Surf Gathering and Surf Camp for children with Autism and other disabilities will be held on at Honoli’i Beach Park beginning at 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This alcohol and tobacco – free family event is sponsored by the Hawai’i Island Chapter of Surfers Healing, a national organization started 13 years ago in Malibu, California to share the unique experience of surfing with children with autism. An estimated 300 people are expected at Honoli’i, including approximately 75 children. Worldwide, over 2,000 children per year participate in Surfers Healing Camps.

Families with children with autism or other disabilities are invited to spend a day surfing and enjoying the beach. Boards and safety vests will be provided. The event is made possible through a partnership of the Hawai’i County Department of Parks & Recreation, Basic Image Productions and Hulakai Surfboards.

Kalani Kahalioumi, who has been a surf instructor at Surfers Healing events on the East and West Coasts, said the experience of surfing makes the youngsters “glow,” and they ask to go back out to surf the waves over and over. “Something magical happens when they ride a wave,” said Kahalioumi. “Once you get them standing on the wave, standing up, they light up. Part of it is the surfer, but most of it is done by Mother Nature, the surf. What is really touching is when one kid brings 30 family members to the beach. They all support this one child, and when they see their child surfing, when you bring the kid to the beach when they finish the ride, the parents are in tears,” Kahalioumi said.

For more information or to sign up for the event, visit www.surfershealing.org.

MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii public high school students will for the first time be able to compete in school sanctioned surf competitions as early as the spring of 2013, under a plan announced by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, the state Board and Department of Education and professional surfer Carissa Moore.

Working with the appointed state Board of Education, the DOE is developing a plan to incorporate surfing in school athletics, with collaboration from city officials, surfing organizations and the community.

“Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing. From Duke Kahanamoku to the thousands of residents and visitors who surf both recreationally and competitively, the sport is rooted in our culture and way of life,” Abercrombie said. “Bringing surfing to our students is another step in our collective goal to transform public education and provide our children with rich and diverse educational opportunities.”

“Surfing will be an exciting addition for our students as we continue to expand and improve educational programs to increase student achievement,” Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said. “School sports teach critical life lessons such as team work and goal-setting while helping students stay active and healthy.”

The state Board of Education in May 2004 approved surfing – the official individual sport of the state of Hawaii – as a high school sport. Despite overwhelming support from parents and students, funding and other challenges have kept surfing from becoming a fully-fledged school sport.

The BOE and the DOE are working on an implementation blueprint to make competitive school surfing a reality. The DOE intends to support the sport with outside funding sources and consult community partners and city officials to ensure that surf breaks are shared equitably and safely. The BOE will support implementation processes that address safety.

BOE member Keith Amemiya, a former executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, said surfing will allow students to learn about their environment and themselves. He said it also will engage the community by fostering relationships and partnerships with a new group of individuals and groups

“Surfing is a unique sport that often attracts athletes that may not necessarily be interested in more traditional sports such as football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Therefore, we’re confident that surfing will increase athletics participation numbers,” Amemiya said. “In our view, the more students that engage in athletics and other after school activities, the higher our student achievement rates will become.”

Hawaii’s Carissa Moore, who this summer became the youngest surfer ever to win a professional surfing world title at age 18, joined Abercrombie and education officials in celebrating the announcement.

“It will open doors for a lot of students,” she said, explaining that surfing taught her important life skills such as to be perseverant, manage time, and be organized.

The BOE and DOE will continue to discuss a plan to implement surfing as a high school sport during the Board’s General Business Meeting Tuesday, Oct. 4 at the Queen Liliuokalani Building in Honolulu.

MEDIA RELEASE

Since 2003 the Kona Surf Film Festival has been an exhibition of surf films from around the world, a benefactor of the Big Island community and beyond, and a grassroots event that has kept the surf cinema stoke alive. Check the site to see some past events, our current films, and to submit your movie!

Send your films in! Deadline is Sept. 31st, 2011. We will consider any film based on, around, or somewhere near the sport/art/pastime of waveriding (all forms invited!). Please send your submissions on dvd with any relevant info and art. Feel free to contact us with any questions or just to talk story. Thanks!

Kona Surf Film Fest
74-4908 Mamalahoa Hwy
Holualoa, HI 96725

www.konasurffilmfestiv…

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Surfing and bodyboarding at the 27th Annual QuickSilver-Kamaaina Motors Big Island Pro-Am Surfing Trials at Honolii Saturday (July 9).

MEDIA RELEASE

In conjunction with the Annual Big Island Pro Am Surfing Trials at Honoli’i, there will be a temporary one-way traffic pattern on Kahoa Street on Saturday (July 9).

Traffic will be allowed to flow in the Hāmākua, or northerly, direction on Kahoa Street between Nahala Street and Kahoa Place. The one-way traffic pattern will be in effect between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

During those times, parking will be allowed only on the makai side of Kahoa Street to coincide with the one-way traffic pattern.

Release from BISSA on Facebook (3/15/11)

These are the observations and input we have received since the public meeting and first working group meeting. Pay particular attention to our observations of our unique and limited Hilo surf breaks, and the need for SUP specific guidelines to achieve a safe and balanced use of our precious wave resources by a wide range of water users who range from all ages and backgrounds. SUP representatives have presented draft Kook or Kool guidelines for everyone in the water, but we believe this does not recognize there are major differences between SUPS and more traditional surfing platforms. We will be engaging in further discussions in our working group about SUP specific guidelines to achieve the type of safe balance which our East Hawaii surfing community deserves. This process takes time, so please be patient.

Background

Much has been said on both sides about the issue of whether and how SUP can co-exist with traditional surfing platforms. At no time until the present has there ever been a need for this type of discussion in Hilo, until SUP exploded in popularity to the point where it is now.

Since the public meeting, there has been a heightened awareness from the SUP and surfing community which has generally had a positive impact on how SUP might fit into our limited Hilo breaks. This post describes our unique Hilo breaks and what we have done so far in considering the issues.

Since the public meeting, we have listened to and absorbed the ideas of many, and observed conditions at Honoli`i and Bayfront during a variety of swell and wave conditions, during weekdays, weekends and holidays. We stopped circulating our petition to DLNR out of respect for the process, but had gathered approximately 250 signatures from Big Island surfers by then.

Our goal, based on what we have absorbed and observed since the public meeting, is to accomplish a workable balance between traditional surfing platforms and SUP at our Hilo breaks which fosters safety and the balanced use of our wave resources by the many, not the few. The ideas which we have heard range from banning SUP at all of our heavily used breaks to the simple adoption of codes of conduct applicable to all. Neither end of the spectrum presents a practical or realistic perspective at the current time. However, similar discussions for places like Ho`okipa on Maui have resulted in SUP and windsurfer free zones. SUPs do need to recognize that if their use of Hilo’s wave resources becomes so lacking in respect that formal rules are required, there may be a result which no one wants to see.

Working Group Meeting

Our first working group meeting occurred on March 9, 2011. During that session, concerns were expressed by those who surf and whose families surf about occasions when the number of SUP in the water simply overwhelmed surfers or discouraged them from either going out or surfing in the same break. We discussed the responsibility to our many water users, kids and keiki to recognize this as a problem. Not doing so reflects a serious lack of consciousness of who uses our water every day and a lack of respect for the surfing tradition.

The SUP representatives in the working group presented a proposed code of conduct applicable to surfers, body boarders and SUP users, similar to the “Kook or Kool” list. While it is a good start, there remain functional differences between SUP equipment and more traditional surfing platforms, and when these differences are considered in conjunction with our unique Hilo breaks, it should become apparent that there is a need for SUP specific guidelines which we will be working out in our next round of discussions.

At the working group meeting, some very experienced SUP riders with extensive surfing backgrounds were asked at that meeting for their perspectives on what they do when they see a monopolization of an area by SUP or the potential for this occurring. Their practice was to not go out at that break at that time, paddle down the coast or go to another break, and SUP has this capability (We suggest another option, which is to go out on a traditional surfing platform).

Functional Differences Between SUP and Surfboards or Bodyboards

The SUP differences include (1) the size and weight of SUPs, (2) the increased potential for injuries which they pose, (3) the use of a paddle which prevents most SUP users from holding onto the SUP, especially in larger surf conditions (no such thing as duck diving or turning turtle in a large wave with an SUP), (4) the ability of relatively inexperienced SUP user to immediately paddle into the same lineup and create risks for others in the water, (5) the fact that SUP is simply not “kid friendly” (consider that kids and groms cannot afford SUPs or carry them to the water), (6) the ability of the SUP to range farther and to utilize wave locations not typically frequented by traditional surfers, (7) and the ability of one or more SUP users to monopolize a break by failing to “share” the waves, so that any more than 2-3 SUP who practice Kook or Kool at any one break can still be too much, depending on wave frequency.

We note here that the question has been raised whether SUP is considered to be surfing. We respond by stating that traditional surfing has been to paddle into a wave with hands or feet on a platform that requires speed and balance to stand or perform maneuvers on, and which takes countless hours in the water to master. On the other hand, most SUP platforms are so large and stable that one can stand motionless on an SUP. It is this different size and bulk of an SUP, coupled with a paddle, which allows an SUP to catch waves well before they break and which poses the enhanced safety risk.

Those with surfing backgrounds who now SUP have generally understood this difference and the advantage which an SUP has over any traditional surfing platform to catch waves from farther out and to monopolize any break. This awareness is key to understanding that on any given day and time, there is a certain balance of SUP/surfers which can work. Surfing with SUP who have this awareness can be fun.

Hilo Breaks

Each surfing location in Hilo also has its unique attributes which needs to be considered when suggesting specific guidelines which accomplish a balance of wave use conducive to safe surfing. This discussion focuses on the unique attributes of our the Honolii and Bayfront breaks. Similar discussions can be had for other Hilo or Keaukaha breaks.

Honolii

First and foremost, Honolii is a beach park, where a large variety of body boarders, surfers, families, keiki, beginners and groms can be found on any given day. While there are several breaks, they are compacted in relatively tight zones that can include 50-75 surfers or more on a good day, or even on a weekend or holiday.

At Left Point, the takeoff zone is generally on first or second reef. Even experienced SUP need to be near the pit. When Left Point has size, only very experienced SUP should be in this Left Point area as getting caught inside can be trouble since an SUP has no ability to duck dive or turtle. Mid-channels is a heavily used break by intermediate and advanced surfers, and inside Mid-channels is often used by beginners and keiki, for whom SUP riders can pose safety risks. Mids and inside Mids should be left to surfers and beginners when it is apparent that SUP in this zone is unsafe. At Privates, occupied by body boarders and surfers, the area should really be SUP free. SUP do have the deeper water takeoff zones between left Point and Mids to catch waves, and the area between is generally used less.

Bayfront

On tradewind and small days, Bayfront can be the place for beginning SUP to learn the basics without endangering others. But when the waves get larger, the nature of the Bayfront wave provides SUP with an even greater advantage for catching waves given the type of ground swell that rolls in over a gradual bottom grade. The takeoff “pit” for SUP is much further out than the pit for surfers.

Speed down the line can be interrupted by SUP in white water, as SUP cannot duck dive or stay stationary in certain wave conditions. When a certain number of surfers and/or body boarders are in the water due to larger wave conditions which attract more surfers, SUP have the opportunity with their mobility to move to the right break, move up the coast to Bayshore Towers, Scenic Point or other SUP accessible locations.

SUP Specific Guidelines

This is where the rubber will meet the road, given these observations. We will be presenting our ideas of how to achieve a workable balance with the working group representatives and hope to arrive at a final set of draft guidelines to present at another public meeting thereafter. Your comments and suggestions on how to arrive at a workable balance are welcome.

More information on BISSA on Facebook

Photography & Story by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Over 100 people packed the Aupuni Center conference room in Hilo Wednesday night (Feb 9) as surfers and stand-up paddleboard users met following an outcry for restrictions on the use of SUP in surf spots.

A group called the Big Island Safe Surfing Alliance set-up a BISSA Facebook page and has gathered about 200 signatures on a petition asking for restrictions on SUP use in surf spots on the Big Island according to BISSA spokesman Tom Yeh. Concerns were aired about safety, respect towards each other and the etiquette of surfing.

The popularity of Stand-Up Paddleboarding or SUP has taken-off and with the limited number of surf breaks on the Big Island conflicts have arisen as bodyboarders, surfers, SUP users and others vie for the waves. Into this mix of ocean athletes are users who are inexperienced and need a place for safe practice and guidance.

The meeting felt some heat as surfers and SUP users told of their various problems with the mix of surfers and SUP with some taking both sides as some both surf and SUP. The group debated what regulations might bring by restricting ocean sports in surf spots.

A future meeting is being planned to be held at Honolii surf spot to continue the discussion.

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Shane Dorian’s annual Keiki Surf Classic at Banyan’s Surf Spot in Kona.

Mobile version of video
Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

MARINE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU HI
444 AM HST WED JAN 19 2011

Kauai Northwest Waters-Kauai Windward Waters-Kauai Leeward Waters- Kauai Channel-Oahu Windward Waters-Oahu Leeward Waters- Kaiwi Channel-Maui County Windward Waters- Maui County Leeward Waters-Alenuihaha Channel- Big Island Windward Waters-Big Island Leeward Waters- Big Island Southeast Waters-
444 AM HST WED JAN 19 2011

…Large west-northwest swell to build today and tonight… …locally gusty winds and frequent lightning with thunderstorms today…

A large west-northwest swell will build today and tonight…peaking Thursday and Thursday night. the swell will produce hazardous conditions at harbors exposed to the west…with breaking waves at harbor entrances creating dangerous conditions for vessels entering or leaving port. strong currents and moderate to strong surges are also possible within and near harbors…due to the long-period swell.

In addition…thunderstorms will develop over island waters today…with the greatest threat over Maui and Big Island waters. these thunderstorms will be prolific lightning producers…and will also produce locally gusty winds…making for hazardous boating conditions. If caught in a thunderstorm on the open water…stay below deck.

Waterspouts may also form in association with developing showers and thunderstorms today. Waterspouts can swamp or overturn small craft…stay away from them at all times.

The 2011 Keiki Surf Classic at Banyans surf spot in Kona, Hawaii. To enter: Email the organizers at keikiclassic@yahoo.com for more info. They have forms at Pacific Vibrations, BanyanMart or Big Island Surf.

2010 world champion Kai Lenny (Photo courtesy of Stand Up World Tour)

MEDIA RELEASE

It is official: Kai Lenny is the 2010 World Champion on the Stand Up World Tour. After an epic final event win, 18-year-old Kai Lenny makes history with a win here at Honolii, making him the first ever World Champion and announcing to the world his coming of age!

The conditions Wednesday at Honolii were testing, small, unpredictable surf was the order of the day, but the athletes on the Stand Up World Tour had no problem in stepping up to the plate and showing the world what they are made of.

There were so many great stories from this event, but one of the greatest highlights was certainly the sheer quantity of talented young kids pushing the limits and making their presence felt alongside the established big names of the sport and ocean sports in general.

In particular, Bern’d Roedigger seemed unstoppable in the first round, as did Mo Freitas and Ulu Boi Napeahi. Ridge Lenny also made his presence felt at just 13 years of age, clearly demonstrating he has a great future ahead of him.

As the rounds progressed however, it came down to the real business, as the key players made themselves known – Leco Salazar put on an impressive display of high performance riding, reminiscent of his win in Brazil earlier this year.

As did Antoine Delpero, linking more traditional longboard maneuvers with progressive carves, while Duane DeSoto and Robin Johnston showed great form in the tricky conditions at Honolii.

The Big Island was represented incredibly well by its athletes, with Kainoa Hauanio showing early promise and Ikaika Kalama taking it all the way to the final.

Peyo Lizarazu fought a valid fight to stay in contention, but bowed out in the quarter finals under the might of Leco Salazar and Robin Johnston, having to settle for 9th place in the event and 2nd place overall for 2010.

That was the moment that all the hard work and dedication paid off for the young Kai Lenny and that his dream had become a reality – Kai was now champion of the world, and nothing was going to stop him.

As the finals got underway, it became clear the world title was not enough for the young champion, he needed the event win too – with two high scoring waves under his belt early on, Kai was able to relax, while the remaining finalists scratched around to find waves that might match Kai’s performance, but to no avail.

In the final, Kai stepped into a league of his own and won the Hawaii Finals in epic fashion, much to the delight of his family and friends who waited on the beach to share this special moment.

The official crowning of the World Champion for 2010 is Saturday at the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort and be marked with a cultural celebration and luau to close the event in the right way.

An Ocean Festival in Hilo Bay will also take place this weekend, with an expo, Na Kama Kai youth clinics, team and solo races, live music and much more.

All that remains to be said, is a big congratulations to Kai Lenny and all those who participated in the 2010 Stand Up World Tour and we are already looking forward to the 2011 Tour that will be bigger, better and in more places than ever before!

Thanks to our sponsors: the County of Hawaii, Hulakai, Steinlager, Naniloa Volcanoes Resort, Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Go Mokulele, the Big Island Visitors Bureau, KWXX / B97&93 and Imiloa Planetarium.

— Find out more:

standupworldtour.com

Mobile version of video

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Island Finals marks the homecoming of the Stand Up World Tour and the prestigious close to the season. Set to take place here on the Big Island for the next three years as a minimum, the event will conclude the global pursuit of the world’s best to be crowned Champion of the World.

Held at Honolii, perhaps the Big Island’s most treasured and consistent surf spot, the Hawaii Island Finals runs Dec. 10-19 and consist of a 48 man trials event and 40 man main event.

Community shuttles will be running throughout the day to bring people back and forth from Hilo town and the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort to Honolii.

Beyond the climactic stand up surf championship, the event will focus on the community in the Big Island and the rich cultural heritage that the island possesses, in addition to the islands natural resources.

The event starts Friday, Dec. 10 with a traditional opening ceremony according to protocol – a chance for the athletes to reflect on what brought them to the Island and what it is to be there for this special moment in time.

The Trials will then kick off the following morning bright and early, or as soon as there are suitable conditions, with the holding period running from Dec. 11 through Dec. 17 (with Dec. 18 providing the extra day if needs be).

On the final weekend, an ocean festival will mark the Stand Up World Tour’s presence on the island, as a arts, crafts and hardware expo will provide visitors, both local and tourists, to find out more about the sport and check out what the local business community has to offer.

There will also be two additional sporting events run:

* The Nation’s Cup: an exciting team format involving the World’s leading stand up paddlers.
* Open Race: a 3-mile race that is open to all, to take place in Hilo Bay, following the course outline below. This race will offer both 14′ and 12’6′ classes. It will rank elite, masters, youth and women divisions.

Na Kama Kai will once again access the kids in need, this time here on the Big Island for an unforgettable series of youth clinics led by Founder Duane DeSoto. Supported by the Stand Up World Tour athletes, Na Kama Kai will provide unique opportunities for these kids, from the sports themselves, to ocean awareness and cultural workshops.

The final element will be the luau is the final Saturday, including the crowning of the 2010 World Champion. This will be at the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort, partner for the Hawaii Island Finals.

Below is a more detailed schedule and map for the Open Race:

Friday, Dec. 10 – Queen Liliuokalani Park and Coconut Island:

9:30 – 11 a.m.: Athlete registration and check in, Naniloa Volcanoes Resort
Noon: Start of Nations Parade through Queen Liliuokalani Park and over the Bridge to Coconut Island
12:30-2 p.m.: Blessing and Awa Ceremony
2 p.m.: Welcome Speeches and Press Conference
6 p.m.: Welcome drink at Naniloa Volcanoes Resort

Saturday, Dec. 11 – Friday, Dec. 17 – Honolii:

First Shuttle 6:30 a.m. / 6:45 a.m.
Athlete Daily Call at 7:30 a.m.
First Possible Start 8 a.m.
Day FInish at 5 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 16: Hilo

Wayfinding and astronomy evening with Polynesian Wayfinding legends

Friday, Dec. 17:

Event Party – location tbc

Saturday, Dec. 18 – Hilo Bay:

8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Expo open to public
10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Na Kama Kai Youth clinics for underprivileged youth; Product Demos / stand up initiations

Live Music
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Nation’s Cup: Waterman’s Challenge in Canoes, on Stand up boards, alaias, swimming and more
5 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.: Luau and Prize-giving Ceremony for the event and the World Championship Crown (allow for up to 250)
9 p.m.: Main Event Party at W.A.I

Sunday, Dec. 19 – Hilo Bay:

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Expo open to public
9 a.m.: Open Race Check in
10 a.m.: Open Race Start
1 p.m.: Prize-giving for Open Race
2 – 5 p.m.: Na Kama Kai youth Clinics for underprivileged youth; Product demos / stand up initiations; Live Music Option (tbc)

5 p.m.: Wrap Up – Unofficial Event Closing dinner at Cafe Pesto’s in Hilo

— Find out more:

www.standupworldtour.c…

Check-in: 7:00 am
Beach Clean-up: 7:15 am (all contest entrants must participate. Once you’ve checked in, start the clean-up!)
Contest Start: 8:15 am

*Beach entry is as an alternate ONLY. PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE THE DEADLINE!
Event Registration: tombombwahineclassic.e…

The Tombomb Wahine Classic began to advocate preservation of our coastlines, promote women’s surfing and encourage community involvement. We wanted to have a wahine surf contest and beach cleanup in Kona aimed at encouraging teamwork and camaraderie between women surfers. With is past success, we hope our event helps maintain our momentum promoting wahine surfers and protecting our beaches.

*The Tombomb Wahine Classic is set up on a team format. We will select teams of 5 prior to the event. Each team will be made up of diverse water women from old to young, shortboarder, to longboarder and anywhere in between. Each team will surf in a “heat.” Heats will consist of one team, so each surfer is encouraged to push their teammates, share waves, and work toward a common score. Each individual surfer will achieve a total score based on the top three scoring waves. The individual scores will be added up to achieve a team score. The two teams with the highest score will surf a second time, again aiming for a high team score. **To be fair, entrants cannot select their own teams.

*If you’ve registered and can’t make the contest, contact us as (808) 557-9112 and we can refund you up until the week before the contest.

Mobile version of video
Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

The week saw a high surf advisories for south shores of all islands and surfers tried to take advantage of that Wednesday (Aug 4). The surf wasn’t big at Honolii but it beats being stuck in traffic or at work.

And if that’s not enough for you there’s always the Pahoa Surf Film Festival tonight.

MEDIA RELEASE

The first annual Honoli‘i Beach Park Surf Gathering and Surf Camp for children with Autism and other disabilities will be held on Sunday, December 27 at Honoli’i Beach Park.

The event is being sponsored by the Hawai’i chapter of Surfers Healing, a national organization started 12 years ago in San Clemente to share the experience of surfing with children with autism. An estimated 300 people are expected at Honoli’i for the event, including about 50 children.

Sponsors of the event are inviting families with children with autism or other disabilities to spend a day surfing and enjoying the beach. The organization will provide the boards and safety vest. The event is being put on in cooperation with the County Department of Parks & Recreation.

Kalani Kahalioumi, who has been a surf instructor at Surfers Healing events on the East and West Coasts, said the experience of surfing makes the youngsters “glow,” and they ask to go back out to surf the waves over and over.

“Something magical happens when they ride a wave,” said Kahalioumi. “Once you get them standing on the wave, standing up, they light up. Part of it is the surfer, but most of it is done by Mother Nature, the surf.”

“What is really touching is when one kid brings 30 family members to the beach. They all support this one child, and when they see their child surfing, when you bring the kid to the beach when they finish the ride, the parents are in tears,” Kahalioumi said.

For more information or to sign up for the event, visit www.surfershealing.org.

Contact Person: Kalani Kahalioumi, 961-8860 or 808-392-2252

Oceanic will rebroadcast the Eddie Aikau surf contest that was held Dec. 8 at Waimea Bay.

The contest will be shown in its entirety, nine hours long,  on Channel 250.

The schedule is as follows:

* Midnight- 9 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22

* 3 p.m.-midnight, Wednesday, Dec. 23

* Midnight- 9 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 24

— Find out more:

live.quiksilver.com/20…

See related post

Photography by PF Bentley for Hawaii 24/7

The North Shore of Oahu was epic with surfing at the In memory of Eddie Aikau surf meet in Waimea Bay and the Pipeline Masters at Banzai Pipeline.

Shot on the Canon 7D. A big mahalo to Pipeline Masters directors Randy Rarick and Bernie Baker for their assistance at the contest.

Pipeline Encore from PF BENTLEY on Vimeo.

More info:

Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

Billabong Pipeline Masters

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

MEDIA RELEASE

There will be a temporary road closure on Kahoa Street beginning at Nahala Street from 8 p.m. Friday, November 20, to 5 a.m., Saturday, November 21, and a one‑way traffic pattern from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, for the 6th Annual Keiki Surfing Classic on Saturday.

Basic Image, Inc., the “Honoli‘i Friend of the Park” organization and Honoli‘i Paka Crew has scheduled the Keiki Classic at Honoli‘i Beach Park from approximately 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (check-in at 8:30 a.m. ).

Traffic barricades, signs and Special Duty Officers will be part of the traffic control plan.

The Department of Parks and Recreation and “Friends” thank the public for their cooperation and patience while driving in the area before and during this community event. The public is welcome to attend.

For more information, call Clayton Honma, Deputy Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, 961-8311.

Photography by Baron Sekiya/Hawaii247.com

Photography of winners by Gary Petrison/Special to Hawaii247.com

Winning contestants in the 25th Annual Quiksilver/Kamaaina Nissan Big Island Pro-Am Surfing Trials August 9, 2009 - at Honoli‘i in Hilo, Hawaii.

Men's Open Final: 1st. Soliel Farnsworth, 2nd. Joey Oda, 3rd. Kamakana Edens, 4th. Young Tarring, 5th. Dylan Sheehan, 6th. Adam Escobar

Women's Open Final - 1st. Shruti Kartik, 2nd. Chelsea Sky, 3rd. Tara Lani, 4th. Mary Anderson, 5th. Chloe Child

Open Longboard Final - 1st. Wayne Victorino, 2nd. Koa Enriquez, 3rd. Sode Kabalis, 4th. John John, 5th. Alika Weber, 6th. Tomo Saito (Uncle Eddie accepting for Koa)

Open Bodyboard Final - 1st. Matt Solomon, 2nd. Kealoha Kaaua, 3rd. Nacoma Herrington, 4th. Danie Villena, 5th. Micah Salazar, 6th. Jon Patrich Alcoran