What: Surf Discussion Series, every third Thursday

Who: Rabbit Kekai

Rabbit Kekai was born in 1920; he began surfing at the age of 5 and grew up watching Tom Blake and Duke Kahanamoku surf at Publics. The one-of-a-kind rascal of a beach boy is known as one of the first hot-doggers who revolutionized surfing. To this day you can still find Rabbit at Waikiki; at 89 he is still active in the surf community.

When: 3 rd Thursday February 19, 2009 6:30 – 7:30pm
 
Where: Chinatown Boardroom, 1160 Nuuanu Ave

Join windward Oahu residents this weekend (Feb 13-16) to rebuild the community playground at Aikahi Elementary School. An estimated 1,200 volunteers are needed for the construction effort--raking leaves, shoveling dirt, and making the keiki-inspired design a reality by building a volcano with a lava slide, tree houses, gecko ladders, and canoe models. Local businesses can help by donating food, snacks or beverages for the volunteers. Call Eachus at 254-7944 ext. 248 to volunteer. More info at www.aikahiplayground.org.

If ever there were conditions you would call gnarly, they ruled the day during the HIC Pipeline Pro yesterday, doling out unforgiving close-outs, extra-strength double-ups, and a parade of monstrous waves that feathered on the outer reefs. Once again, Pipeline proved that nature puts on the best show of all.

Congratulations to Country Feeling Surfboards R&D surfer Flynn Novak for winning the Todd Chesser Award for being the hardest charger. For his winning performance--besides a nasty meeting with the reef--Flynn secured a spot in the 2009 Pipeline Masters, along with Jonah Morgan (Haleiwa), Liam McNamara (Haleiwa), and Mason Ho (Haleiwa); Maui's Hank Gaskell (Hana) and Dusty Payne (Lahaina); and Kauai's Gavin Gillette (Kilauea) and Sion Milosky.

Flynn Novak, charging his way into the 2009 Pipeline Masters on his proven 7'4" Bushman. Photo: Bernie Baker

Read Dayton Morinaga's Honolulu Advertiser story here.

Read Daniel Ito's Star-Bulletin story here.

With the help of the Trust for Public Land, MA‘O Farms acquired 11 acres of farmland to add to its existing 5 acres in Wai‘anae's Lualualei Valley. Besides healthy produce, the model certified organic farm grows young leaders and promise for a sustainable future. MA‘O is an acronym for mala ‘ai ‘opio, which means "the youth food garden."

MA‘O’s produce is sold at health clinics, farmers' markets, natural food stores, restaurants (Nobu’s, Roy’s, Alan Wong’s and Town), and MA‘O was chosen to be a local supplier for Whole Foods. In addition to being a leading practitioner of sustainable agriculture in Hawai‘i, MA‘O is also in the business of youth development. The bulk of the MA‘O work force is comprised of young adults from the Wai‘anae community. Interns work on the farm 20 hours a week and are given a $500 monthly stipend and a tuition waiver to Leeward Community College. Currently, there are 25 YLT interns of which a high percentage are Native Hawaiian and first generation college attendees. The addition of the 11-acre Takahashi Farm parcel will allow MA‘O Organic Farms to increase its  productivity and educational programs.  

Learn more about MA‘O Farms at www.maoorganicfarms.org.

This weekend, Hawaiian Telcom is collecting phone books for recycling at the Windward Mall parking lot, Kahala Mall parking lot, Ward Warehouse (at trolley stop on Auahi St.), and Waikele Premium Outlets (center courtyard).

Political commentator David Gergen coined the harmonious term "aloha zen" in a New York Times story while describing President Obama's agreeable disposition:

Mr. Obama has also brought a more relaxed sensibility to his public appearances. David Gergen, an adviser to both Republican and Democratic presidents, said Mr. Obama seemed to exude an “Aloha Zen,” a kind of comfortable calm that, Mr. Gergen said, reflects a man who “seems easygoing, not so full of himself.”

Perhaps it's the surfer in him, Drew Kampion might say. Even if what Gergen was trying to describe isn't exactly "aloha" or "zen," the notion of "aloha zen"—love is all around us, if you will—is appealing, and it's promising to think that the President is utilizing his right brain as well as his left (or even that he is using his brain at all).

Joey Santley and Steve Cox have launched Green Surf Blanks and ReSurf Recycle, two initiatives that recycle surfboard foam and keep more of the industry's hazardous materials from going into our landfills. Read more about them here.

According to this slide show report, 3.75 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted for each half-gallon of orange juice produced by Tropicana.

Feel the spray as Vincent LaForet's camera follows Jamie O'Brien's switchfoot take-off on this Backdoor beauty... thanks to Mary for sharing this impressive application of modern technology.