Waialua Keiki Surf Contest Kicks Off Season

Dicky Stone watches as Aulani Waits catches a wave at the Molokai Keiki ‘O Ke Kai at Waialua Beach last Saturday. Photo by Malia Waits

By Léo Azambuja
A handful of children competed in the Molokai Keiki `O Ke Kai surfing contest in Waialua Beach last Saturday. The contest was the first in a series of four, which will ultimately qualify the overall top scorers to compete on Oahu next spring.
“At the end of the season, after the spring season closes, there is a state championship on Oahu, and our children are guaranteed slots in the semifinals,” event coordinator Malia Waits said.
She said six families showed up for the contest. About 10 kids got in the water, but only five decided to compete in the season’s opener.
Waits said the next contest will be held in Halawa Oct. 11. Then in the winter, it will be at Rock Point in the East End. The season finale is scheduled for Kepuhi Beach in the Westside next spring. All contests are held during school breaks.
The contests are sanctioned by the Hawaii Surfing Association. Many sponsors help the contests prizes, trophies and organization, including Jams World, Peahi Construction and Friendly Isle United Fund.
Hawaii is widely recognized as the birthplace of surfing. Waits said surfing is a cultural tradition in the islands.
“It’s really important for our culture to continue to do these events, because it is a way for our community to come together in a drug- and alcohol-free way and support the children in traditional activities,” she said.
Kids who want to be part of it should show up on the day of the next event to enroll, Waits said.