The Big Island of Hawaii hosted this year’s Hawaii Junior Lifeguard State Championships on July 29th at Hapuna Beach, HI. Approximately 200 teens ages 13 to 17, competed in rigorous athletic events designed to showcase the skills they learned from summer training.

The competition included a 1,000 meter run, 200 meter swim, 100 meter run-swim-run, beach flags and six person paddleboard relay. The girls and boys competed in two age groups, 13-14 and 15-17. The Junior Lifeguard Program not only teaches teens water safety, first aid and surf rescue but also gives them lifelong skills in exercise, maintaining a healthy body and increases their self-confidence.

The Kauai Junior Lifeguard team defended their state championship by earning their eighth straight title with 149 points, followed by the Big Island with 104 points, Maui with 75 points and Oahu with 48 points. Before the awards ceremony, youth from the Big Island performed hula and dance in the true spirit of Big Island Aloha.

OluKai is the official footwear of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. Each year OluKai outfits all 450 Hawaiian lifeguards in the Kia’i sandal and the Kia’i Trainer, specially designed to handle the guards’ rigorous all-island fitness training demands.

Part of the proceeds from every Kia'i sandal and Kia’i Trainer goes directly to the Hawaiian Junior Lifeguard Program. This donation is part of OluKai’s ‘Ohana Giveback Program where the company contributes time, money and resources to support cultural and environmental preservation efforts in Hawaii and beyond.

2011 marks the third year that OluKai has supported the Hawaiian Junior Lifeguard Program. This past May 14th at the Third Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a on Maui, OluKai presented the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association with a monitary donation of $16,000 to support Junior Lifeguard Programs on the island of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii.

OluKai helped support this years Gorge Outrigger Races, held on July 15-17th in Stevenson, WA.

Paddlers and their families came from all over the west coast to compete in the 2011 Gorge Outrigger Races. Conditions were not ideal to start, with a dead flat river and rain Saturday morning, but by the start of the first race the wind kicked up and the rain stopped. A record of 67 crews, 402 paddlers, raced the 10 mile course off the Stevenson waterfront. The 10 mile course consists of a 2-lap triangle, with both upwind downstream, and downwind upstream conditions, making for a very challenging race.

Sunday morning didn't start off any better than Saturday with rain and no wind but by the start of the small boat and SUP races the rain finally stopped, but unfortunately the wind never showed up. Even with the unwelcoming weather competitors, campers and spectators enjoyed another great race in the Columbia Gorge!

On Friday July 8, OluKai partnered with six local specialty retailers to clean up several surf beaches in Southern California.

From Hermosa Beach Pier to Swamis in Encinitas, OluKai employees, retailers and community volunteers pitched in to remove 325 pounds of litter and debris during the concurrently scheduled Friday events.

The clean ups were part of OluKai's second Giveback Day, an annual event where our company closes it's offices and encourages staff to get outside and take an active approach to giving back to our local community.

Each clean up was focused on the home breaks of several of our best surf retailers in Southern California. Local volunteers as well as eco-minded vacationers were hosted with breakfast and gifts complimentary of OluKai and the respective specialty retailers.

We thank all of the dedicated volunteers and retailer partners who helped in the effort to keep our beaches clean.

Partner retailers and beaches as well as photos from the events are below:

Jack's Surfboards
Hermosa Beach @ Pier St

Harbour Surfboards
Seal Beach

SEED People's Market
Blackies/Newport Pier

Hobie Surf Shop
Main Beach Laguna

Hobie Surf Shop
San Clemente Pier & T-Street

Hansen's Surfboards
Swami's

Join OluKai and the best surf shops in Southern California to give back to the local community, beautify our beaches, and protect the environment. Breakfast and refreshments will be served and volunteers will be entered to win prizes including OluKai sandals, T-shirts, beach towels, and more!










Beach Cleanup at Hermosa Beach @ Pier St
Presented by OluKai and Jack's Surfboards
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at Hermosa Beach @ Pier Street

Beach Cleanup at Seal Beach
Presented by OluKai and Harbour Surfboards
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at Harbour Surfboards
329 Main St, Seal Beach

Beach Cleanup at Blackies/Newport Pier
Presented by OluKai and SEED People's Market
July 8, 2011 / 11am-3pm
Meet at Blackies/Newport Pier

Beach Cleanup at Main Beach Laguna
Presented by OluKai and Hobie Surf Shop
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at Hobie Surf Shop
249 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach

Beach Cleanup at San Clemente Pier & T-Street
Presented by OluKai and Hobie Surf Shop
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at San Clemente Pier

Beach Cleanup at Swami's
Presented by OluKai and Hansen's Surfboards
July 8, 2011 / 10am-2pm
Meet at Swami's

There is a strong tradition of giving back in Hawaiian culture. Each year we share this spirit across the nation on our 'Ohana Giveback Day. On July 8, OluKai employees, representatives, and retail partners across the nation, from Hawaii to Puerto Rico, will spend the day giving back in their local communities.