Bigger Is Better

Mix skateboarding mini-ramp demos, a stand up paddle surfing expo, the emerging boardsports environmental movement, then stir in classic cars, shiny hogs, Hooter girls and a Miss Tropicana contest and you’ve got eye candy sweeter than butterscotch. Actually, you just made the second annual Big Boys 4 Big Boys Expo that went off during the weekend of March 28-30, at the Neal Blaisdale Center Exhibition Hall.           

In the Green Action Arena, a half pipe ramp was built for the show and later donated to YMCA Camp Erdman. Skate Legends Christian Hosoi, Ricky Stiles and Kale Sandricks busted giant airs during a legend sesh, showing spectators how it’s done. The top groms had their chance at the masonite and skated for prizes donated by participating exhibitors. Right across from the ramp, the ASEC (Action, Sports Environmental Coalition) and the Defend Oahu Coalition kept it green, promoting eco-conscious products, health and environmental sustainability.

In the opposite corner of the venue pit bulls were competing to pull the most weight, while poker hounds were leashed to the tables, betting high stakes. Music from Broken Glass, Analog, DJ Kutmaster Spaz and more blasted wall to wall, keeping the vibe pumping. Top dogs like House of Flys, Budweiser, KHNL, Pflueger Honda, C4 Waterman, and Rip Curl among many others helped sponsor this growing event. With environmental interests highlighting the big-toys-for-big-boys tradeshow, the bar was set that no matter how much fun was to be had, environmental sustainability takes the main stage, as long as its wearing a bikini.




Throwing Shakas In The Wind
Good news first: The Steinlager Shaka Longboard Series saw 4- to 6-foot surf pour into Sunset Beach for their series opener. Bad news: strong north winds added an element of chunk and bump to the powerful surf on Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6. Over 90 surfers from around the state showed up to brave the cool north winds and shifty peaks and while some survived, a few of the boys went home with two piece souvenirs as the power of Sunset wreaked havoc on their big boards.
Waianae's Kamu Auwae was the weekend standout with a win in the Stand Up Paddle division, as well as a second place showing in the Pro-Am Longboard division. Ikaika Kalama, who usually dominates the competitive SUP scene, switched things up and took home a win in the Pro Longboard final, which even surprised him. Rounding out the Pro-Am Longboard division was Kai Sallas and Koa Enriquez. In the SUP division, Dave Parmenter finished second, followed by Leleo Kinimaka and Nolan Martin. The amateur divisions were completed on Sunday.

Anchors Away
In the last decade, the Mentawai Islands have become the Mecca for surf travel and the influx of boats has had damaging effects on the fragile coral reefs. With over 40 legal charter boats and possibly 20 more undocumented boats operating in close proximity at a finite number of surf spots, anchor damage to coral reef ecosystems is a compounding environmental problem. A small boat’s 15-foot anchor chain can impact over 700 square feet of coral reef during the fluctuating tides. 
A young oceanographer with NOAA, Jamie Gove and conservationist Jubilee Selsing witnessed the problem first hand and decided to mount a conservation effort of their own accord. The Mentawai Mooring Movement was recently founded to eliminate anchor damage to coral reefs through installation of permanent boat moorings at popular surf breaks in the island chain. Jamie and Jubilee have undertaken a six-month sabbatical in the southern Mentawais, working with Wavepark Mentawai Surf Resort, other land camps and charters to install the small boat mooring at nearly 20 surf spots.
The pilot project kicked off on Thursday, April 17 at the Mercury Bar in Chinatown, O‘ahu. The fundraiser drew a packed house of enthusiasts who gathered for discussion and gave for the fledgling non-profit. If all goes well, the initial installation of small boat moorings will be gladly received and future plans made for larger boat moorings to handle the larger charter boats.  
www.mentawaimooringmovement.org