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Page 1 of 2 When these guys put on a suit for work in the morning, it’s the boardshort variety  OAHU’S NORTH SHORE > Stroll through the historic town of Haleiwa, then grab a casual lunch of fresh ahi at Haleiwa Joe’s (haleiwajoes.com). > Afterwards, cool down with a “shave ice” from Aoki’s (Read more... “Home” for Keaulana, a world-renowned waterman and expert on ocean safety, is anyplace where the surf is big. But on this wave-rich winter evening at Oahu’s Makaha Beach, it’s clear he’s talking about Hawaii, a place that has always evoked tropical romance. At 46, Keaulana, son of Hawaiian surf icon “Buffalo” Keaulana, has accomplished more than most athletes could hope to achieve in two lifetimes. Recognized as a pioneering lifeguard (in 1993 he famously rescued a drowning tourist from an underwater cave using a jet ski), Keaulana officially left the lifeguard stand 13 years ago to pursue a career in the film industry. Since then, he has appeared in a half-dozen surf movies (often as himself), carried the Olympic torch, and perfected nearly every watersport imaginable—from tandem surfing to stand-up paddleboarding. And he regularly hangs out with celebrities (yesterday he was on the water with Lance Armstrong), usually teaching—or, as he would say, “sharing”—his love and respect for the ocean. Keaulana represents a generation of modern watermen who have built their careers around life in the islands. Windsurfer Robby Naish and big-wave surfer Keone Downing are two others who have used the boards below their feet to propel their successes. And Sig Zane, a surfer and owner of the self-titled Hawaiian-print shirt company, has used his zeal for art and the environment to carve out his piece of paradise. Sons of some of the original beach boys, these guys are making a living in a place where it’s not that easy to do—through a combination of hard work, business savvy, perhaps a little bit of luck, and, most of all, an unflagging desire to capitalize on their passions. |
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