HF you seem to be ageless dude. Too bad Sean and Tommy didn’t get down there. Needed more young guys.
Hey to all from Florida. I really missed a good one, I can tell you all that the blog and stories bring back some great memories. I starte in Iroquois Point in 1965. From there it was Ewa Beach. I grew up there and miss the good ol days. Some may remember me Henry Busseno, they called me Buznose. I surfed with most of you and enjoyed each and every wave. Joey Gaynor, the Ayala brothers, and the list goes on. My sister Lee Ann went out with Eli Langley for many years. I lived on Laukona Loop in the yellow house. My good friends were the ZANE brothers. They lived where the golf course is now, what a shame to the developer.
I can’t tell you all the times I went to sea walls to check the surf then ran home to wake up Ralph and Lawrence to go surfing. Most of the time I would go by myself while they would continue to sleep, even when I would tell them the surf was 10feet plus HA, HA. Even though it wasn’t that big it was still the surf and freedom of the water. I believe that one day we will all be a part of the same Ocean…
I have not seen many over the years although I have never strayed to far from EWA Beach. I only found this site by accident and have followed it since on a daily basis. I can’t tell you how I have enjoyed this and look forward to the next gathering when I can come with my son and show him off and how the island helped to shape me and mine…
I have been in Florida since 1986 and not had the chance to return yet, but I will. Any one look at the yearbood for James Campbell High, Alot of the Ewa beach crew signed my book. But the one thing no one mentioned was all the time in high school spent in the J building smoking, dice, cards, and coin toss. I can remember taking my lunch money and either having extra or no lunch for the day. There was an art teacher who used to join us on a regular basis, not sure of his name of the top of my head, but what a great time this was. One thing for sure it beat class, and was a great sub for no surf. Surfing always came first…
Take care to all and look forward to the continuation of the blog on Facebook and here
Buzznose, Henry
Mahalo to everyone who made this happen. Looking at the pictures and video, I have a big smile on my face the whole time. Felt like there was a “Hall of Fame” for Ewa Beach, and I was there to watch the first induction ceremony. Mahalo Harry for recording this event so well, we can re-live over and over again. And also for the Facebook group. And also appreciate everyone’s patience during the paddle out, I think I was the last one to arrive – gotta work on the guns – or get a bigger board. I was a little bit worried before the event, thinking I would spend most of my time answering the “okay, who are you?” questions – but that didn’t matter. Everyone was friendly, some remembered me, and the “elders” shared their mana’o freely. So thankful for that. Most of all, Butch, Cleigh and Mrs. Eaton allowed us to focus and set the tone, and I believe God was there with us.
Aloha
Tom Clements
“Flagpoles”
God is always with us, but I thought we were especially blessed on Saturday. The rain washed things in the early morning, then as Butch and Cleigh did their blessings we had a tiny bit of mist, same for when the program started, we got that Hawaiian blessing from the skies. The sun kept things warm but it was also overcast on and off so we didn’t get too much sun.
I have witnessed several gatherings where the aloha spirit was able to keep the skies jus right. There was a tremendous amount of aloha flowing on Saturday.
I think we’ll be on a high from this event for a while. Isn’t that what it was all about?
I think those of you who join the facebook page can add photos or videos so feel free to do so. When I get time I’ll work on the program part and then there’s a ton of undividual shots with you guys saying something. Stay tuned to the facebook page for more.
Sharkcountry aka Harry; Thanks for all da pics & video of the paddleout memorial. I really miss the people that we did that memorial for; we paddled out and remembered sooo many precious, precious people. And everyone that’s still with us, and was at the reunion are also precious, cool, unreal, legendary, priceless, spiritual, one in a million,never to be forgotten,always loved, real old style Ewa Beach soul surfers.
to be continued…
Jus to say thank you
What was long overdue but came about on 9 15 2012 was a truly remarkable day. A day we dream of, and a day our dreams come true. A day that brings together our past and present Ohana, our family, together again. A chance to refresh old memories and restore bonds and update the growth of our Ohana. A chance to learn more from each of our Ohana and tie together the loose ends of the twine that binds us. Each story,each coversation, each memory strengthend the glue. Cleigh’s mom, icing on the cake, was there too. Small kid time she was just mom and we learned a lot from her. Now days we have learned to pay more close attention when she speaks. Small kid time u only like no how da surf. But wen u get olda u like no mo stuff so u gota dig mo deep. She da one who can tell you first han da storys not fron here say but from living it. Jus like us guys who grew up togeta. We was der, We know. Dis day was not howzit bra, dis day was about da begining til now. All whu came an all whu went. Anyway to get to da da point, I like thank da special braddas who did da stuff fo get dis up fo us. Ike Tanaka, Cleigh Eaton, Mike Nii, Mel Behasa, Tommy Phillips, Harry Alama Mike Bell, and of cours Jim Phillips. Widout these guys we get dreams, but dis guys made our dreams come true. And da sistas and wives who wen back up da necessary stuff dat mos us guys overlook or take for granted, Ikes wife, Mels wife, Susie Vogelgesang, and though I failed to get to know you all, I wish to thank you also for bringing this all together Aloha my braddas and sistas. Keiki O Ka Aina I Ka Pono, Ewa Beach Ea… Paul Shepard …I alone do not make my life, it’s my Ohana who complete it.
Eh Tommy. Da Laulau was bitchen bra so ono. Hooooooooooooooooooooooooo broke da mouth. I goin come eat at your house from now on Bra. Bradda Paul
Jus like say few words for my Bradda, Steve Kendall. Bra I no can express da pain in my heart I feel fo you. What ever got a hold
of you, all us goin back u up Bra. My heart broke Bra wen I see you. I neva no how to reak. Us guys tight Bra. Come back our side I
goin pray for dat. I like see u again how we was Bra, fightas, u rememba da days. You was one fighta to da max and you could handle
Bra.I know you neva goin change Bra cause u from da road. Remebra bra u get me, Cleigh, Nauka,an all da boys from da road back u up
Bra. Jus like me, da ting dat keeps me goin is my braddas an my sistas. Jus like me, you got da same braddas an sistas. My Aloha to
you bradda Steve. See you nex yer Cleigh and Mikes place, down da road.Da road Bra, we be der again. No mo end, only begining one
mo time. See u der bra wit our braddas. Each one of us is a part of all of us. We goin stay togetda fo Ewa. Aloha fo Now my Bradda.
C you next yea, Cleighs house. U Bradda Paul Shepard…Somrtime we no get to talk story fo long time, an uta times, we no
get fo long time talk story. But all same da Ohana. But das how da Ohana. Try keep um close Bra, best we can do…Paul
Shepard…
Ho Bra, Sunday down Cleighs place was so cool. Soo much Aloha. Jus like small kid time. Jus talk story and tell story no holds bard. So good fo da hart. Only ting to short fo say and listen to all dat get. Most best was Mom, Cleigh’s Mom telling of the old days. Everybody wen listin close cause She da one who can tell, She was der. We all had good fun and wen learn stuff not goin get in any books we can read. Past down to us and remembered first hand. Mom wen jus go on an spill um out like was and sing fo us an play Uke and give all what she could in da time dat we had. Get so much more, but she get so much no can it all one time. But share wat get at da time dat get an enjoy da surroudings and da love we have in common. I not going try mention who was der, das not important, what is important is we was der…Mahalo Mom…
Hey Paul, Steve Kendall told me a great story on camera. He said he went out to the outer reef with someone maybe his brother Mike. It was huge 20+ feet and they didn’t know it was that big. A monster set came in and he couldn’t get passed it. He took a pounding and lost his board but they made it back to shore with both boards. The next day was when Cleigh went out with the other guys and came back in minus one board. Steve said that day was smaller, the waves came down from when he went out.
Anyway, just to try to add something about making boards, who was doing it back then and who still does it?
I know Goerge Kaholokua and Isaac Tanaka made boards in his shack. Gooney shaped, Mike V and John Crouch were glassing for Bolt. Dickie Delong, Jim Greene, Chris Gardner were the pros. Mel Behasa still makes boards. I’m sure we all did a strip and reshape at least once, but who was making boards beyond that? Mel said he used to get kits from Rich Parr for $40 then sell his boards for about $65. I remember about the early/mid 70’s the kits were $60.
Was funny when John Sadowski said he never owned a board. Typical of our home, what’s mine is yours. Timmy Foo had a really nice board that Isaac made, and I used that more than my own board.
We always had several community boards at the beach house. I used to leave my board under the house. One day I went down there and Alfred Ah Loo’s kids had my board on the sand and were jumping up and down on it. Ho I was a bit pissed, but it was funny cause when we was small kids that’s what we would have done, so I let um play.
I envy da lots gang. You still get your beach and your houses. Shark Country side is pau. Houses are knocked down the yards are fenced in. Access is by walking around on the beach. It’s going to be da private beach for those who can afford a home out there.
Regarding making boards… Jim Phillips was and is. His craftsmanship is as good as anyone else anywhere, better than most. Here is but one example of his work from a previous topic on Swaylocks. Google to find many many more.
http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/jim-phillips-billabong-art-shaping-asr-sept-2009
Hah, Jim and I were standing by the boards talking and one of the older guys was admiring his board and talking to someone. It was a really nice old school board. He picked it up and I think Jim was having a flashback to the time Stanley “Savage” Parks stole his board and wouldn’t give it back. I told the guy that Jim made that board and he and Jim talked about it. It was all good.
We had guys from the late 50’s all the way to the 2012, with Kekoa Bacalso and the other kids.
Harry!I believe Steven get small kine memory deficient. The day we lost the boards it was Imua Paina and was my brothers board. Mike asked me to take them there. I vividly remember the set that crunched them as I had caught an earlier wave and was paddling out saw the whole thing. And yes the waves was in that range. I did go out again the following day and it was smaller but that is not when we lost the boards. Here are the cast of players that day. Mike and Steven Kendall, Andy Toothman, Imua Paina, Jack Kahahane and myself. Still can see the wave that crushed them. All their boards were scattered across the face of the wave at various angles. It looked like tooth picks across the back drop of the face of that wave. Note: Steven was pretty traumatized, think they thought they were going to drown. They immediately paddled in and left me and my cousin Jack out there by ourselves.
Kahu Cleigh
Yeah Cleigh, Steve told me he is 100% disabled now. He did say that the day he went out they came back with all their boards.
I think the video with all the interviews is going to be interesting. May have some stuff that is a little incorrect, but after 50 years that’s OK.
Cleigh did your mom know Nana Veary?
Of course! her daughter and granddaughter live here on Maui. Mahealani lost her husband shortly after Kevin Johns died. Buzzy Knubuel. Buzzy was also on sways, his moniker was “Alamo”. Jus got a call from Dickie Delong (Kevins brother-in-law). Evidently he was really sick. Hadn’t heard from him since 72-74. Also, please contact my brother Cal so you can speak and record my mom. Paul was there on Sunday when Mom was bustin’ out small kine history. She even reprimanded me her son for calling some places by their wrong name. I luv it!
Cleigh
I knew about Buzzy, you had posted that here before. I was just wondering about your mom because their time in Pu’uloa would have overlapped. I bet she has stories that would blow minds.
Nana Veary was a friend of Alvin Shim and Al and my dad were like hanai brothers because my grandparents used to take care of him on weekends when they were at Kamehameha. Al gave me her book years ago when I was searching for answers. Helped me find my way back to god and aloha.
Dad used to get mad watching the TV news people get all the Hawaiian words and names wrong. He used to correct us about the Nanakuli side where he grew up. If they don’t teach us the right stuff we end up teaching our kids the wrong stuff.
Take care, Harry
Aloha Paul, But my Bradda Rick & cuzin Abe from Hau’ula made the Lau Lau’s. Anyway yes it was a beautiful day. I’d like to say mahalo to everyone there. and Bradda Steve Kendall will be in my prayers. " Love U Steve". Mahalo to my new cuzin Kimo Phillips, hope we can get together some day. 1 more thing whoever left rashguard pullover black shirt @ the paina let me know. For a slight fee U can get it back and there’s few more items i picked up. Aloha T.P.
Hozit Cleigh. Das y wen Mom talk I jus listen up. She get so much to share. From small kid tid tiime, if you wrong, she goin len you know. Das y I feel so lucky to be part of of our family. Das y I feel so blessed. Mom still stay wit us to talk to and keep us right. Not only in tings of da pas, but in life itself. Aloha Mom, Aloha Cleigh…Bradda Paul…
I neva here what Nornam Nauka said Sunday, but she wen correct him too. I jus wen point finga at him. Wen our eyes met, was like small kid time again.
You Like no da first surf boards come out of Ewa Beach. Dis wat I know. I lived next to Charlie and Jessie Mizunaka in da 50s. Barney Silvas gran ma lived on da beach Sharkcountry side of Silvas Store. Wen she wen pass away, Barney wen turn da small house on da beach into a room for make surf boards. Barney Silva, Louie Sadowski, Lester Inamoto, Mits and Mouse Moody, and I tink Albert Gandal wen made boards der. Da boards was mostly fo dem, not to sell or make money. But dey call it Da Surf Shack. Pleny foam on da floor, pleny fibaglass, pleny ichy. Da boards was not chop suey boards but boards dat today would hold hold der place anywhere. Dez guys knew what dey was doing. Anyway dez was da first real boards I saw and da first guys I seen make boards. If I rememba Augie was wit dem to. Dey was da olda guys. We was da younga guys still making chop suey broads just to get out der in da surf. Daz what I rememba…Bradda Paul…
Stanley Sadowski had da first realy nice shape small board I eva see. Duplicate of big hot dog board but bout 6 foot. Balsa. Green. Stan used to rip on dat board. Was made of left ovas. I wen ride dat board many times cause you ride what get. But no body ride da board like Stan. He do anything you can do on a big board. U no see hang ten on short 6 foot board nowdays. Stan was just normal ting. Ges he jus Ewa Beach boy and don know what impossable means. I old now, daz to bad, but lucky old enough to be old enough to have seen and lived dez tings…Bradda Paul…