Attack of the Mini Grom
By Kevin Whitton

Kaulana Apo
4/9/98
Ewa Beach, O‘ahu

Ewa Beach is known for being hot and it’s surf centrality to any shore on O‘ahu. Kaulana Apo has taken advantage of this and put it to good use. The year-round high temperatures means Kaulana is always in the water and the centrality provides world-class waves in any direction.

When parents Jenn and Inky pack up the cooler with watermelon, sandwiches, oranges and Gatorade, it’s either off to a contest or a family day in the surf with close friends. Kaulana surfs often with his dad, who he sees as the best teacher he could have, and gets inspired by Ewa Beach professional surfer Dustin Cuizon. With support from family and positive role models, Kaulana has high hopes for a career in surfing and knows it‘s doable if he puts in the hard work.

In addition to his sponsors, Kaulana has also earned the recent support of Kekoa Cazimero, who gave the young goofyfoot cash towards his airfare to California to compete in NSSA Nationals. For Kaulana, his surfing future looks bright as he plans to step up to the next level and into the NSSA Open Boys Division for the first time this upcoming season. Next time you see Kaulana crack the lip sporting his Freddy P. model boardshorts with the Hawaiian flag, know that he has his mind set on ripping as a true representative of the Hawaiian Islands.    


Age: 10
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Quiksilver, Anarchy, Unknown Surfboards
School: Ewa Elementary
Home Break: Kewalos and Coves 
Post session grinds: Loco moco with gravy and two eggs over easy, ikura sushi and acai bowl
Video Game: PS2
Music: Matisyahu & Dead Prez
Movie: Young Guns 2
Maneuvers: Straight-up backside snap
Favorite Surfers: Freddie P., Dustin Cuizon and Macy Mullen
Travels: Neighbor islands and California
Surf Trip Dream Destination: Mentawai Islands
Crew: Dad, Matty Costa, Moniz ‘ohana, the Kuakinis, Keanu Asing and the Quizons


Contest Bests for 2007/2008:
1st HASA Shortboard Menehune Division, Kewalo Basin
2nd HASA Shortboard Menehune Division, Sandy Beach
3rd NSSA Regional Open Mini-Grom Division, Kewalo Basin
3rd NSSA Open Mini-Grom Division, Hale‘iwa, Sunset and Banyans