HEENALU/HEEHOLUA SURFING SERIES
Historic wooden surfboard and sled event highlighting the Hawaiian culture and history of extreme sports – Feb.17 – March 11, 2007 (holding period)
Media Advisory
(11/25/06)
WHAT: The first surf and holua event using wooden carved surfboards and sleds highlighting the chants and protocols never seen in modern times associated with the Hawaiian culture surrounding these two unique sports. Surfboards weigh in at over 100 pounds and papaholua (sleds) 12 ft. long, have no fins or steering are shaped in a manner consistent with boards and sleds used prior to 1778 and through the late 1800s to the early 1930s.
WHEN: Opening ceremonies / chants to honor the akua (gods) and ancestors to begin at 9:00 a.m. Feb.17, 2007 with events to follow – TBA
WHERE: The surfing event is to take place at one of the following venues at one of the following locations – Kaunalu (Phantoms) North Shore, O`ahu, Lani’akea (Himalaya’s), Avalanche (Hale’iwa), or Kailua, Kona.
Holua sledding event will take place at one of the following – Parker Ranch, Kohala, Kahua Ranch, Kohala, or Ulupalakua Ranch, Maui.
HOW: Regarded Kupuna (elders) and chanters and will perform opening chants/stories and offerings rarely seen in public as we recognize the living relationship the Hawaiian people have with their gods of old. Once the ceremonial offerings have taken place, invited entrants will randomly select a surfboard and sled provided for use; a quiver of solid wood boards and traditional sleds will be provided for participants. In the surfing component, four surfers (per heat) will surf in heats at one of the aforementioned surf breaks in 60 minutes per heat.
The holua sledding segment will have each contestant doing 6 or more downhill runs in three (3) different positions – prone, kneeling, and standing individually as well one on one heats - There are no winners or losers, this event focuses on providing competitors and spectators the experience of surfing and sledding competitions in Hawai’i over 200 years ago. Traditional judging criteria will apply – distance, length or ride, style, size of wave, etc.
WHO: This event is by invitation only whom were chosen based on their knowledge and skills who would like to experience the unique Hawaiian culture surrounding surfing and Hawaiian mountain sledding. Few have experienced the exhilaration of paddling into and attempting to surf on what was once a living tree powered by great ocean waves or sliding down mountain slopes or lava fields at speed that may reach 50 miles per hour or more.
HISTORY: HawaiiBC and Tom Pohaku Stone, a former professional surfer who now is a professor at the University of Hawaii are collaborating with various community groups with the goal to educate, perpetuate and preserve what little is known about the history and culture surrounding these traditional sports. Surfing and lava sledding was born in the islands and was revered as a ritualistic and culturally significant sport, a fact that has been lost in today’s commoditized and commercialized world.
SPECTATORS: The event is free and open to the public to view. Spectators are invited to watch the chants and competition and view surfboards on display. Talk first hand with Pohaku on the cutting and carving the boards, a process also seeped with cultural ties.
AWARDS: Awards will be given for Overall Best Performance in each of the two disciplines and the recognition of an individual’s outstanding performance in both disciplines. Their peers based on traditional guidelines will judge competitors.
HOTLINE: The public may contact HAWAIIBC (Tom Stone or David Pu`u) for more information: 808-561-5663 or 805 794-0123. Or check HawaiiBC website for updates at www.hawaiibc.com
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS: Kamehameha Schools, University of Hawaii – Center for Hawaiian Studies, Kahuawai, Oils of Aloha, Mike Slattery
DOCUMENTARY: This event will be captured in a documentary coordinated by David Pu’u renowned filmographer for release in the near future.
MEDIA: This event is a community event run with volunteers. As such, every effort to provide footage to television stations will be made. Media wishing to cover the event must contact David Pu’u ahead of time or check in with David on the day of the event and display a media badge. David will be on-site.
EVENT COORDINATOR: Tom Pohaku Stone Email: