FOR HAWAI‘I SURFERS, BY HAWAI‘I SURFERS

THE SECOND ANNUAL FREESURF MAGAZINE KAI MANA AWARDS PRESENTED BY QUIKSILVER AND OCEANIC CABLE
By Siri Masterson and Chelsea Johns

Kai Mana means “ocean power” in Hawaiian. The gathering of grom and veteran surfers, body boarders, longboarders, water safety officers, surf industry heads and legends was a dynamic display of ocean power unified for the second annual FreeSurf Magazine Kai Mana Awards presented by Quiksilver and Oceanic Cable.

Heavy traffic on the H1 freeway made the crowd of beautiful people show up a little late to this year’s event, but once the night started rolling there was no stopping it! From the blinged-out pros with arm candy dates to the surf media and local heroes, many braved the horrendous traffic conditions to make the awards a smashing success.
A rich dish of the North Shore’s local winter jambalaya graced the Waimea Valley Audubon Center to honor Hawai‘i’s elite watermen and women and support the preservation of O‘ahu’s North Shore by fundraising for Keep the North Shore Country, raising more than $1,200 dollars at the door. The awards show “for Hawai‘i surfers, by Hawai‘i surfers,” featured a menagerie of hosts, which included Sista Paula Fuga, Da Braddas from OC16’s popular Da Bruddahs & Friends, John Philbin (“Turtle” from the movie, North Shore), ASP President Rabbit Bartholomew and Board Stories TV hosts Chris Latronic and Kanani Oury. The 13 award winners were solely determined by votes from surf industry peers (NSSA, HASA, Macy’s E-Series, Triple Crown, WQS, WCT and other professional surfers) and the Hawai‘i public via mail-in ballots, on-site ballots (select surf shops and contests) and online from July to November 2006.
After the awards ceremony was pau, the party rocked into the starry (and slightly gusty) night to a live performance from Swampa Z.Z. Waimea Valley blessed the attendants with her beautiful scenery (a breathtaking nook of protection in every direction), keeping guests warm and cozy while everyone enjoyed the band. The ladies were the first ones (as usual) to get on the dance floor and shake what their mama gave them, as others stood outside beneath the magnificence of the evening, looking in on the action. Many of the North Shore’s pueo’s came to kick it for the after-party and mingle with surf stars like Andy and Bruce Irons, Kala Alexander, Jamie Sterling, Mark Healey, Daize and Aamion Goodwin and many more Pipe Posse faces. Longboard greats Bonga Perkins, Kanoa Dahlin, Ezra Rodrigues, Kekoa Uemura, Ned Snow and Scotty Fong, Jr. were all in attendance as well, looking just as smooth in aloha attire as they are in the water.

In Hawaiian culture, value is placed on respecting the land, caring for one another, and listening to elders pass their wisdom on. Acts like cleaning up the beaches, supporting local causes, and putting on surf contests for the youth is almost second nature to many pro surfers in Hawai‘i. If sponsors, contests, and awards ceremonies never existed, it’s a guarantee that these featured men and women of the Kai Mana awards would be doing the same thing they do now: charging in the water and on land. FreeSurf is proud to provide a platform where the Hawai‘i people and surf industry peers can recognize these wave riders, not just for their competitive achievements, but for their community involvement as well.

AND THE KAI MANA GOES TO…
AMBASSADOR OF ALOHA

NOMINEES:
• Jason Shibata
• Rabbit Kekai
• Kala Alexander

WINNER: Jason Shibata

This award is given with modern surfing’s father, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, in mind. The recipient of this Kai Mana is an individual who perpetuates the Aloha Spirit in Hawai‘i nei and overseas. This person demonstrates a genuine concern for the surf community, and perpetuates the spirit of the ancient Hawaiians. “‘Aloha ke kahi i ke kahi’ means to love one another,” explained Hawaiian recording artist Paula Fuga, who presented the Ambassador of Aloha Award. “If we live in this way, we can truly show aloha to one another by taking care of one another, cherishing each other, protecting each other.”

Native Hawaiian Kamehameha School graduate Jason Shibata won this award for the second year in a row. It may have been the spoof Kai Mana Awards re-election campaign, where he dressed up in a Bula’ia-esque wig and picked up trash, or maybe it is just his natural friendliness and charm that boosted Jason into the honorary spot for the second year in a row. Whatever the reason, the number of votes proved that Shibata is more than deserving of his continued reign as ambassador of aloha. “I just wanna say I’m stoked to be up on the stage with all these great surfers and great people of our sport,” he said once on stage. “A lot of people put in a lot of work and we’re very fortunate to live in Hawai‘i. A lot of people who were up for nomination deserve this award as much as I do. Thanks to those who voted and thanks to everyone for supporting.”


PADDLE-IN CHARGER
NOMINEES:
• Chas Chidester
• Mark Healey
• Jamie Sterling

Winner: JAMIE STERLING

In this era of technologically evolved big-wave surfing, the Old School method of paddling-in remains an essential skill to pay homage to. This Kai Mana is awarded to the athlete who uses his sheer physical power and water knowledge to ride liquid mountains, demonstrating that the purest way to drop in is to simply paddle out and stroke into a bomb. Traveling the globe in search of big waves. This is Jamie Sterling’s full-time passion and full-time job. His big-wave prowess can be seen in countless surf flicks and double-page spreads in your nearest surf rag. But he’s had quite a year for a charger who claims to have never one any competition growing up. He won his first ever surf contest this year at the Maestro del Gringo tube-riding contest, and also took top honors twice at the 2006 Billabong XXL Awards for the Most Committed and Best Performance.

Making his way to the stage while high-fiving the crowd, Jamie took honors for the second year in a row as Paddle-In Charger. “Thanks to FreeSurf for putting the party on and thanks to all my heroes here,” he said. “I just want to mention that we should keep trying to save the North Shore and everyone else out there putting their head down and charging, lets keep pushing each other.”

TOW-IN TEAM

NOMINEES:
• Shane Dorian/Ian Walsh
• Laird Hamilton/Dave Kalama
• Kealii Mamala/Garrett McNamara

Winner: KEALII MAMALA/GARRETT MCNAMARA

Surfing is a brotherhood, but no bond in surfing is stronger than that of the Tow-In Team. Each partner in a tow duo is a ski driver, lifeguard, board caddy, rider and buddy all in one. The nominees for this award demonstrate not only elite skill, but the importance of teamwork in life threatening surf. Winners Kealii Mamala and Garret McNamara won the 2006 North Shore Tow-In Championships and were out of town during the big night, winning another big wave cop in Oregon.
“I’d like to say thank you to all my fans for all the support, thank all the people from Board Stories and FreeSurf Magazine for nominating us for tow team of the year, like to thank god for providing us these waves and having fun and being here,” Kealii said via the big screen. “I’m on my way to a contest here in Oregon, hopefully get some good waves, hopefully some of the biggest stuff we’ve seen, and definitely have some fun and go big.”


OCEAN SAFETY

NOMINEES:
• Terry Ahue
• Kai Borg
• Hawaiian Water Patrol
• Rick Williams

Winner: TERRY AHUE

John Philbin, “Turtle” from the surf classic North Shore presented the Ocean Safety award, addressing the crowd with the most infamous line of the movie: “Howzit Barneys! Look, when the wave breaks here, don’t be there or you’re gonna get drilled!” As wave riders, the ocean is our playgournd, but it can be a dangerous recreational area. Thankfully, City and County lifeguards and Hawaiian Water Patrol officals act as real life super heroes, ensuring ocean enthusiasts’ safety. Brock Little accepted the award for Terry. “Unfortunately Terry couldn’t make it tonight,” Little explained. “He told me he was writing his speech all day, and was really looking forward to getting up here and speaking to everyone and he really feels bad. If he was here he’d like to thank Quiksilver and FreeSurf and everyone else, and he’d say Water Patrol’s all a team. He’d thank his backers, and that includes everyone that you know it includes, so thank you on behalf of Terry.”

Terry Ahue was a City and County of Honolulu lifeguard serving alongside legendary waterman Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay during the ‘70s. By the '80s, Terry and his good frined and fellow City & County lifeguard Brian Keaulana (with a handful of other lifeguards and big-wave surfers) were spending their weekends as lifeguards and water patrol safety for surf contests throughout the state. Over the years, equipped with rescue sleds attached to the back of their personal watercraft, growing experience in some of the heaviest surf and ocean conditions possible, the two friends turned their passion into a company, Hawaiian Water Patrol, which is now an essential component of any surf contest as well as any commercial or movie production shooting in or around Pacific waters. Their list of “subcontractors” includes some of the most elite watermen around.


BREAKTHROUGH MALE AND FEMALE

Female Nominees:
• Melanie Bartels
• Leilani Gryde
• Carissa Moore

Male Nominees:
• Dustin Cuizon
• Dusty Payne
• Pancho Sullivan

WINNER: Melanie Bartels

She is known as the best female aerialist around, a bad ass chick from the West Side, a female counterpart to the likes of Sunny Garcia and Johnny Boy Gomes, one of the best female surfers ever to come out of Hawai‘i. Despite the fact that she has been tearing up the competitive contest scenes for ages, Melanie Bartels continually steps up her game and is more than worthy of the title “Breakthrough Female Performer.”

Close friend Tiare Lawrence accepted Melanie’s award since Mel was on Maui for the Billabong Pro at Honolua Bay. “Aloha everybody! I’m here to accept Melanie’s award, from the West Side, cheehee!” Lawrence paused and asked the crowd is anyone had a hat she could borrow. Makua Rothman jumps on stage and gives Tiare his hat, which she puts on backwards. “As Mel would do it,” she explains. “She’s the bomb, yah, Waianae! I was gonna say hopefully, but no. She is getting shacked over there on Maui and representing West Side, Oa‘hu. Hopefully she does good and represents us well, here’s to Mel and the female version of Sunny Garcia.”

WINNER: Dustin Cuizon

To no one’s surprised that ‘Ewa beach local and newly qualified ASP World Championship Tour competitor Dustin Cuizon was voted this year’s Breakthrough Male Performer. Not only did he earn some serious cash as winner of the four-star Body Glove Surfbout and the Macy’s E-Series at Sandy Beach, but his consistency on the WQS contest scene qualified him for the 2007 WCT.

Although Dustin didn’t make it to the show to accept his award, Volcom team manager Dave Riddle was there to accept on behalf of his elusive team rider. “Dustin Cuizon,” Riddle began. “I don’t know where he is. I called him today. He didn’t answer my call. Called him yesterday. Didn’t answer my call. Had a great run. The kid is gnarly. He’ll be back, and if he was here tonight, it would be real short and real sweet, believe me. Thanks, aloha.”

GROM PHENOM AMATEUR MALE AND FEMALE

Female Nominees:
• Coco Ho
• Carissa Moore
• Malia Manuel

Male Nominees:
• Kalani David
• Mason Ho
• John John Florence
• Clay Marzo


WINNER: Coco Ho

Coco Ho, along with two of her best friends and fellow nominees, Carissa Moore and Malia Manuel, are consistently the youngest and best surfers out in the lineup. You’ll see them charging double overhead surf or tearing up ankle-biters and you can find them in many of the professional women’s events like the Roxy Pro trials of the 2006 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Not only are they rushing to surf against the older pros, these girls are also closing the gender gap, surfing just as well— or better— than most boys their age. Coco placed fourth in Open Women and second in Explorer Girls at the 2006 NSSA Nationals, and continues to add greatness to an already legendary last name.

“I just want to say it’s an honor for me to be up here and accept this award,” an elated Coco said. “I want to thank everyone in the industry for everything they’ve done for us and my dad, Dave Riddle, and my brother and everyone who inspires me. Thank you very much and good luck to the boys at Pipe.” Coming up next for Coco, who won the Billabong Junior Pro at Kewalo Basin, is the Billabong Junior World’s in Australia. Good luck Coco and keep ripping!

Winner: JOHN JOHN FLORENCE
Signature surfboard model. Signature skateboard. Corporate endorsement deals. Sounds like the credits of a legendary surfer, right? Well, those are just some of the exciting things 13-year-old John John Florence has going for him. He is an icon of the North Shore already. A surf prodigy, and a pint-size competitive freak who cleans up each year at NSSA, HASA and any other grom-test he enters. During the 2005 Op Pro Hawai‘i, in chunky 10- to 12-foot waves, John John made the history books as the youngest competitor to compete in Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Series.

Veteran lifeguard and Keep the North Shore Country spokesman Mark Cunningham accepted for John John, “It’s kinda funny, the oldest, grayest, broke dick guy is accepting the award for the hottest grom on the North Shore – unless Rarick or Bugs were up here, or Riddler. I’m stoked and honored to be here on behalf of John John. I spent a little time at ‘Ehukai, and I get to watch him and his family hanging out. It’s just a treat.”

TOP BODYBOARDER

NOMINEES:
• David Hubbard
• Jeff Hubbard
• Mike Stewart
Winner: MIKE STEWART

Bodyboarding is arguably the earliest form of surfing, derived from the ancient Hawaiian Paipo board. This award recognizes the rider who is constantly evolving the sport of bodyboarding, going higher and deeper than ever before. Da Braddahs “Austy and Spumoni” presented the award, fully decked out in kook water wear and helmets, inciting much laughter from the crowd with their barney dialogue.

The godfather of bodyboarding, Mike Stewart, won the Kai Mana. “It’s cool coming here every year and seeing everyone out of the water,” Mike said. “I see everyone during the year in the water. I realize, getting older, that people come in and out of your life, and this family unit is here. There’s some kind of common bond here, and I think that’s something to pay respect to and keep the ‘ohana going. Thank you very much for everything and I’m stoked to be a part of this family. Thank you for everything. Aloha!”


TOP LONGBOARDER
NOMINEES:
• Bonga Perkins
• Kanoa Dahlin
• Ned Snow
• Kekoa Uemura

Winner: BONGA PERKINS

Grace. Cross-steps. Style. Tip time. All these elements are essential to good longboarding. There are a magnetic handful of Hawaii longboarders who make this style of surfing look smooth while pushing the limits at the same time. Former world longboard champion and all-around waterman Bonga Perkins took top honors.

“I’d just like to thank FreeSurf for getting us all together and having a good time, all the boys on the North Shore just holding it down and keeping it real, and just like to take a little time for fallen comrades who aren’t here tonight but in spirit they are, still charging. That’s it. Drink a lot, drive safe, speak safe.”

TOP FEMALE & MALE SURFER

Female Nominees:
• Keala Kennelly
• Megan Abubo
• Carissa Moore

Male Nominees: Andy Irons
• Fred Pattachia
• Bruce Irons
• Dustin Barca
• Michael Ho

WINNER: Keala Kennelly

In ancient Hawai‘i, it wasn’t uncommon to see a female surfer at the top of the lineup hierarchy. It is said that Queen Ka’ahumanu was an accomplished wave slider. The woman at the top of her game, upholding the ancient cultural practice of female wave riding, as voted by Hawai‘i, is Kaua’i’s Keala Kennelly. As most people know, and as the framed photo she was given of herself charging Teahupo’o suggests, Keala can rip in Hawai‘i or abroad, in small waves or thick, heaving Tahitian surf. Always raising the bar for women’s professional surfing through her big wave feats, air maneuvers and barrel riding, there’s sure to be more to come from this shining example of surf royalty.

Keala was on Maui competing in the Billabong Pro on the night of the awards, but was able to give her acceptance speech via video. “I just wanna say to Hawai‘i thank you,” KK said. “I’m thrilled to receive this award. A lot of time, my best performances in the water, I’m not wearing a jersey and it’s really nice to know that some people were watching and voting. I wanna say big ups to Mel. I heard she won breakthrough performer. Go Hawaiians! You guys are killing it. Enjoy your evening, and we’ll catch you next time.”

TOP MALE

WINNER: Andy Irons

Four-time Vans Triple Crown winner. Three-time world champion. Pipe Master. The Top Male as voted by Hawai‘i. Andy Irons is a hometown hero turned super star who has inspired so many local surfers to chase their dreams. “Sick! This is amazing, it’s a great night,” exclaimed Irons, accepting his glass wave trophy by featured Wyland artist David Wight. “Thank you everyone for coming, thanks Billabong for sponsoring me, Kai for saving me at Sunset ‘cause I was a little tired, Kala for his good looks, my girlfriend for all her amazing support, I’d fly off the tracks without her. Don’t we live in the best place in the world? This is an amazing place and for me, coming over from Kaua‘i to surf the mecca and guys like Rabbit who broke down the door in ’78 and everyone else. I’m just privileged to be here and thank you very much. This things really heavy so I’m gonna sit down.” Andy then gave shot outs to his boys like Patacchia and Barca, sauntering off the stage with his wave trophy in hand to enjoy the after party.



LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

NOMINEES:
• Rabbit Kekai
• Ben Aipa
• Sunny Garcia

Winner: RABBIT KEKAI

ASP President Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew presented the award for Lifetime Achievement to Rabbit Kekai. The surfer that is going to receive this award is such a legend, he’s not here tonight, I think for the same reason as John John: it’s past his bedtime,” he joked. As the laughter from the crowd subsided, Bartholomew gave a moving speech about the legendary Waikiki beach boy:

“In the early days when the original surfers meant to be a consummate waterman, prior to Hawai‘i’s statehood and before the seven-mile miracle was a worldwide phenomena, this legend was born and bred in Waikiki. He was a young Hawaiian who was mentored under Duke Kahanamoku— he couldn’t have had a greater teacher. He learned everything from canoe steering to the ‘ukulele. Under the tutelage of the Duke, his ocean skills and aloha matured quickly. The uncles on the beach of Waikiki took notice, and at the age of 16, he became the youngest ever Waikiki beach boy. Under his illustrious career as a beach boy, he worked with many celebrities; that was when all the Hollywood stars were coming out to Waikiki by the boatload. His surfing was cutting-edge. In 1956 he won the Makaha International. That was, at that time, the most prestigious surfing event in the world and the closest thing to a world championship surfing had— it was equal to a world championship. He’s witnessed every part of the sport, first as a competitive surfer, then as a member of the community. He’s really a pillar of surf culture, not only in Hawai‘I, in the entire world. He’s one of my heroes. Without any further ado, the lifetime achievement award, Rabbit Kekai.”

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Director Randy Rarick accepted the award on Rabbit’s behalf. “For those of you who don’t know, Rabbit Kekai actually taught me how to surf when I was 10 years old, so this is really special for me to accept this on behalf of Rabbit, and for those of you out there in the audience, if you can give back just one percent of what Rabbit has given to the world of surfing, you’ll do a lot for the world of surfing.”