After two months of rigorous water safety training, over 200 qualifying teens from across the Hawaiian island chain gathered for the annual statewide safety conference and to compete in this year’s Junior Lifeguard Championships held August 14 at Kalapaki Beach, Kauai.

Teams from Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, and Oahu came together with high anticipation for the day’s rigorous athletic events designed to showcase the skills they learned from summer training.

The Junior Lifeguard competitors were cheered on by their coaches and mentors from the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association (HLA), peers, family and friends as they battled in both individual and team disciplines in five events throughout the day, including: a 1,000-meter beach run, beach flags, run-swim-run, paddleboard relay, and a 200-meter swim. Defending Champions Kauai claimed their seventh straight title winning 1st place with 187 points, followed by Oahu-North Shore with 112 points, the Big Island with 61 points, and Maui with 32 points.







OluKai is proud to support the growth of the next generation of elite watermen and waterwomen through our partnership with the HLA and its Junior Lifeguard Program. Through the program thousands of kids across the state increase their self-confidence, physical conditioning and ocean awareness through lessons in water safety, first aid and surf rescue.

Muffi Hanneman, former mayor of Honolulu and current gubernatorial candidate for the State of Hawaii, addressed the lifeguards and fire chiefs and spoke on the importance of the junior lifeguard program. Hanneman also expressed the vital role that Hawaii lifeguards have in keeping locals and visitors safe and lauded the guards as the “ultimate first responders” considering their combined ocean safety knowledge and paramedic training.

OluKai is the official footwear of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, worn by over 450 working guards. Part of the proceeds from every Kia'i sandal and Kia’i Trainer goes directly to the Hawaiian Junior Lifeguard Program. This donation is inspired by OluKai’s ‘Ohana Giveback Program where OluKai contributes its time, money and resources to support cultural and environmental preservation efforts in Hawaii and beyond.

Each year, OluKai outfits all 450 Hawaiian lifeguards in the Kia’i sandal. In 2010, OluKai continued its partnership with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association by developing the Kia’i Trainer to handle the guards’ rigorous all-island fitness training demands. During the 2010 Junior Lifeguard Championship ceremony, OluKai presented Oahu lifeguard Captain and Director of the HLA, Ralph Goto, and Kauai Captain Kalani Vierra with 450 Kia’i Trainers to outfit every lifeguard in Hawaii as well as an additional $11,500 in monetary support.

The 23rd annual Na Holo Kai Sailing Canoe Race was held on August 21st 2010. The sailing series-leader Olukai team continued it dominance by paddling and surfing their way to a near record winning time across the K’ie’iewaho channel in 7 hours and 13 minutes. With no wind off the start, the team of Tyrus Siale, Scott Wagner,Chris Piko, Butch Keahiolalo, Jason Dameron and Marvin Otsuji battled their way to a lead off of Kaiena Point and the team was never challenged again. The race was the first crossing for Tyrus Siale and Chris Piko , 3rd for Scott Wagner but the 23rd crossing for Marvin Otsuji, who has participated in the race every year since its’ inception. Combining the experience of Marvin Otsuji, Butch Keahiolalo and Jason Dameron with the paddling power of Scott, Tyrus and Chris, the team created much too large of an obstacle for the rest of the fleet to overcome.

The conditions and directions of the ocean and wind held all 6 team members in the canoe for over 4 hours. At about the midway point between the islands, sheet man Butch Keahiolalo was able to make a few sail adjustments and the excitement began. The 6-to 8 foot seas were stacked up to make the rest of the race extremely challenging. At a couple of points in the latter part of the race, both Marvin and Jason were steering blind and trying not to get pulled out of the canoe. Paddles were lost, hoops and ama’s were broken and at times a snorkel would have been the tool of choice. In spite of the paddling over 90 miles and seven hours, each team member is ready to it again.

The rest of the fleet made up of canoes from Kauai, Maui and Oahu and were 5 to 30 minutes behind the first place Olukai team at the finish. The last race of the season, the Kendall Pacific, will combine 4 and 6 man sailing canoes, one man and 9 man outriggers , standup Boards and surf ski’s. The Olukai team is now positioned to win it’s 13th overall Sailing Championship .

On June 25th, OluKai hosted the Williams Photography Showcase at the SEED People's Market in Costa Mesa. The purpose of the event was to bring people together to celebrate the beauty and history of Hawaii through this stunning photography exhibit. Guests from all over the globe were on hand to celebrate this important collection.

Since 1883, the Williams family has captured the spirit of Hawaii one snapshot at a time, from turn-of-the-century native peoples to legendary mid-century watermen and beyond. As passionate historians work to preserve and revive native Hawaiian culture, images like theirs become an import touch point, inspiring and shaping the futre of the islands. Through he Williams family's generosity, we were able to share them with the public.

SEED People's Market generously opened their doors and provided the perfect setting for the event. Guests enjoyed pupus and cocktails while mingling throughout the store and listening to live music by Taumata "Mata" Grey of NatuSol.

The OluKai team thanks everyone for attending and making it a memorable event!!!

Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association race number 3
There's never a dull moment for Team Kamakaoa. The 3rd race in the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association series took place on July 10th and 11th. Team Kamakakoa took the early lead to Laau Point, but had trouble steering the boat due to some rigging problems. The collateral damage: 2 broken hoops, a broken hand pump, a bottle cap stuck in the self bailer, 2 paddles lost and had the rigging slip onto the wrong side of the canoe. Despite the mechanical difficulties, the team managed to keep up until the last 1/4 mile. After taking an aggressive line next to the surf, they got pinned in the current against the rocks. All in all, not the smoothest day of sailing, but the team forged on.

On Sunday, order was restored and a new winning streak began. They established an early lead taking an aggressive line through the surf. Team Kamakakoa hit the wind-line ahead of everyone. Donnie Jones and the Tui Tonga challenged them off Sunset Beach, but the paddlers kicked in and Team Kamakakoa crossed the finish line for the win. Needless to say, after Saturday's challenges, the team was very determined to make a statement!

It was an exciting day for the OluKai sailing canoe team, Team Kamakakoa, as they take both legs of the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association Race Series #2. The race began at Kahului Harbor on the north shore of Maui and swept around the West Maui Mountains to finish one mile a head of Waa Tui Tonga at Ka’anaplai Beach on the southwest shore of Maui. Team Kamakakoa raced approximately 40 miles in a record time of 2 hours and 25 minutes.

On Saturday June 5th, Team Kamakakoa along with six other canoes (all members of the HSCA) provided free canoe rides to visitors and locals wanting to experience the excitement of sailing and paddling in a Hawaiian sailing canoe. From 9am to 3pm, the teams gave a record number of 480 people a tour on the 7 canoes.

A quick video recap of 2010 OluKai Ho'olaule'a, courtesy of our friends at Ocean Paddler TV.

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The 2nd annual OluKai Ho'olaule'a Ocean Festival was held this past weekend on May 15th and 16th 2010, at Kanaha Beach Park, Maui, celebrating the ocean lifestyle, island culture, tradition, giving back, and family.

This year’s event nearly doubled in size with approximately 300 paddlers and thousands of spectators, friends, and family members. The race course followed the famous 8-mile Maliko “downwinder” finishing at the Lae ‘Ula O Kai Canoe Club at Kanaha Beach Park, Maui. Conditions were ideal with clear skies, 12-knot trade winds and wind-swell helping to propel paddlers down the course.

Sharon Balidoy opened both race days with a beautiful Pule – a traditional Hawaiian blessing. Soon after paddlers set out to the starting line. Both races began around 11, with the top competitors finishing under an hour and the last competitors finishing just under 2 hours. Saturday’s SUP race included additional danger and excitement with several tiger sharks circling competitors throughout the race. Fortunately, the sharks decided not to take a bite out of any of the SUP boards or competitors.

The finale of both courses made for dramatic finish that engaged cheering friends, families, and spectators. The OC1 race featured a 180 degree buoy turn with a 300 yard up-wind paddle to the finish, while the SUP race finished with a strenuous 300 yard beach run.

Livio Menelau, originally from Brazil, but now living in Haiku, Maui, California's Danny Ching, and local favorite Dave Kalama stayed together in front of the pack throughout the SUP race. Ching led for the first half before Menelau found several surge swells to take the lead. He took first place in the men’s Elite SUP race with a time of 0:52:37.3, less than 100 yards ahead of Ching and Kalama.

Danny Ching came back Sunday to win the OC1 Elite race with a shockingly fast time of 0:46:37.9. Andrea Moller defended her 2009 OluKai Ho’olaule’a sweep by winning both the Womens Elite SUP and Elite OC1 races back-to-back. The top 6 finishers in the elite division of both races took home portions of the $15,000 prize purse, with equal prize money for the men’s and women’s division of each racing discipline.

Race Results:
Men’s SUP Elite:
1st Livio Menelau, Maui - 00:52:37.3
2nd Danny Ching , CA - 00:53:24.8
3rd Dave Kalama, Maui - 00:54:23.8

Women’s SUP Elite:
1st Andrea Moller, Maui - 00:57:50.6
2nd Devin Blish, Maui - 01:04:36.5
3rd Rachel Bruntsch, Oahu - 01:05:44.8

Men's OC1 Elite:
1st Danny Ching, CA - 00:46:38.0
2nd Austin, Jimmy, Oahu - 00:46:50.0
3rd Travis Grant, AUS - 00:47:34.0

Women’s OC1 Elite:
1st Moller, Andrea, Maui - 00:53:25.6
2nd Emili Janchevis, Maui - 00:55:11.0
3rd Dane Ward, Maui - 00:55:37.4

Beyond the races, the community enjoyed traditional Hawaiian games hosted by Maui Cultural Lands, sailing canoe rides OluKai’s Team Kamakakoa, and a delicious traditional luau dinner hosted by Lae ‘Ula O Kai canoe club. John Cruz was introduced with a dramatic plumeria drop over the crowd followed by a traditional Hawaiian conch blowing ceremony, and Oli chant by Vene Chun. In between musical sets, Hula Halau Alapa'i I Maluuluolele performed to the delight of the crowd.

John Cruz gave an amazing performance that served as the perfect compliment to the family-friendly ocean lifestyle and island culture.

Through the event, we were able to present over $20,000 in giveback donations to our ‘Ohana Giveback partners: Maui Cultural Lands, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association's Jr. Lifeguard Program, Team Kamakakoa of the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association, and hosts Lae ‘Ula O Kai canoe club.

The Inaugural Ed Lindsey award was bestowed upon head Maui lifeguard Archie Kalepa for his ongoing cultural leadership and mentorship. Ross Kaaa, master woodcarver and canoe steersman, was recognized with a custom made ukulele for his commitment to Hawaiian values and countless contributions to OluKai culture over the years.

Mahalo nui loa to all the paddlers, friends, families, and volunteers that helped make the 2nd annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a a special event!
























































Mahalo nui loa to the County of Maui, Lae’Ula O Kai Canoe Club, Maui Cultural Lands, Team Kamakakoa, Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Mary Kielty and her ocean safety crew, Ocean Paddler TV, Vine Chun, John Cruz, and all the paddlers, friends, and families for making this a truly special event.

For the second consecutive year, OluKai was named to Outside magazine’s annual “Best Places to Work” list. “These companies share a common belief: that the secret to success is empowering employees to live balanced lives and remain committed to their communities and the environment,” said Michael Roberts, Executive Editor of Outside.

We started the OluKai 'Ohana Giveback Program as our commitment to our Hawaiian family. Each year we share time, product, and resources with organizations working to preserve Hawaiian culture.

On March 26, 2010, we brought this spirit to the mainland. In recognition of the launch of the 'Ohana Giveback Program nationwide, OluKai employees, representatives, and retail partners across the nation, from Hawaii to Puerto Rico, found ways to give back to their local communities.

Notorious Hawaiian daredevil Mark Healey found his stride on Sunday at the inaugural Todos Santos Big Wave Event, outscoring fellow islander Shane Dorian by 0.5 to take his first big wave title. A steady influx of 45-foot faces made for intense competition, amazing rides and impressive footage all day long. The board-snapping conditions also added to the camaraderie among these watermen, who came from all over the world to compete for the love of the sport alone. Healey’s prize package included serious bragging rights and an enormous bottle of Patron, the latter of which he was happy to share with his fellow surfers.

Event Director Gary Linden says he couldn’t be happier with the results. “Healey was due. Big wave riding is the sport of kings, and this Hawaiian proved he was worthy of the title.”

The Todos crew, including Greg Long (who kicked in his Eddie bonus to help get Todos off the ground), hopes that the media coverage will fuel interest and investment in next year’s event, and ultimately help to build momentum for a recognized big wave world tour. Gary and crew: Big Mahalo for inviting us to be a part of it.

OluKai is stoked to lend a helping hand to Gary Linden and his Todos Santos Big Wave Event. After major corporate sponsors pulled out, Gary and his team decided to go grassroots, producing and marketing the event with passion, local know-how and the support of the surfers themselves. When the contest goes off this Sunday, it will include the reigning heroes of the sport, from recent Mavericks champions Chris Bertish, Greg Long and Grant “Twiggy” Baker to Hawaiian standouts Mark Healey, Jamie Sterling and Dave Wassell, plus a cadre of international riders including Brazil’s Carlos Burle, Chile’s Ramon Navarro, Peru’s Gabriel Villaran, and Mexico’s Coco Nogales. All of them are competing for the love of big waves, not the promise of prize money.

A legendary shaper, contest director, judge and big wave rider himself, Gary has been a local at Todos for 25 years. This contest is the test case for his ultimate vision: uniting the major big wave events in a tour that fosters the development of local big wave communities and elevates their best riders to the world stage. If recent contest results are any indication, the formula works. 2010 Mavericks champion Chris Bertish – and Twiggy Baker before him – gained worldwide recognition and invitations after proving themselves at Red Bull Big Wave Africa, the event once held at their home break, Dungeons.

We support Gary’s vision and salute the dedication and passion of the big wave community. You can check out the action at www.todossantosevent.com.

Good luck and go big!