Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona, State Senate Majority Leader Fred Hemmings and guest host emcee Augie T. combined forces on stage for the official Send Off Party honoring the Verizon Wireless Hawaii Junior Surf Team.  There was a rollicking live auction for a Dusty Payne Model autographed surfboard that he used to garner 2nd place in this years ASP Triple Crown of Surfing.  The bidding was hot and heavy with Augie T. prodding the jam packed audience at the Hard Rock Café. Gary Kewley President of Surf News Network upstaged everyone with a final bid for the board and paddled home that evening with a smile as wide as a whale..And that was just for starters!

A prevailing message delivered by both the Lieutenant Governor as well as the State Minority leader emphasized the importance of the sport of surfing throughout our State.  Fitness, character building, and goals were stressed by each. They also recognized how the sport supports an activity and industry that is a natural strength for Hawaii’s overall marketing strategy and economy.  These young Ambassadors of Aloha were presented with proclamations from both the Governor’s office and the State Senate as they were wished well in their endeavors to capture a world championship crown for our Hawaiian islands.  The team will be surfing against 30 other nations on a world stage for 8 days in Ecuador.

The Lieutenant Governor also emphasized the importance that parents play in keeping our island youth active in whatever interests they pursue.. “It was most gratifying to see such recognition from our State’s leaders in government,” remarked Rainos Hayes who has been Team Captain for 12 years. He continued “This year Verizon Wireless and Hard Rock Café each supported the team so that the surfers themselves could focus on their surfing and training, rather than fundraising for simply their travels.”

The team made donations at the event to Raymond Shiito representing HSA the governing body of the world team as well as to Bobbi Lee director of the NSSA Hawaii for their continued amateur programs.

Sweepstakes and the live auction that evening also raised monies to benfit ACCESSURF HAWAII, a non profit organization that features “days at the beach” each month throughout the year for Hawaii’s physically and mentally challenged.

The evening represented a community gathering interested in furthering the sport of surfing and the standing room only crowd was not disappointed…the team travels to Ecuador March 25th and competes in the ISA JUNIOR WORLD SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS thru April 5th. Live coverage of the event each day can be found on ISA.org beginning March 29th as well as additional coverage and info at www.hawaiisurfteam.org <http://www.hawaiisurfteam.org/>  and www.freesurfmagazine.com.