Report Title:

Buffalo Keaulana; Sunny Garcia

WHEREAS, the Legislature is always proud to recognize and honor the outstanding accomplishments of Hawaii's people, whose efforts give pride and inspiration to the people of the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, surfing, or he`e nalu, is of such significant historical and cultural importance to Hawaii that surfing was adopted, established, and designated as the official individual sport of the State; and

WHEREAS, Richard "Buffalo" Kalolo`okalani Keaulana and Sunny Garcia compose a duo of legendary watermen that span the generations, with one who was winning surfing titles in the 1950s, and the other who is the current world champion; and

WHEREAS, Richard "Buffalo" Kalolo`okalani Keaulana, born and raised in Hawaii and worthy of recognition as an ambasssdor of surfing and Hawaiian water sports, has a loving family consisting of his wife, Evangeline Leimomi Whaley; five children, Brian, Jodie, Lehua, Russ, and James; and two hanai sons, Kioni and Stanley, and is well known for his amazing ability in the sport of surfing; and

WHEREAS, for over twenty-five years Buffalo Keaulana has been a devoted lifeguard, protecting swimmers and saving lives off the shores of Makaha Beach, and was part of the original crew on the Hokule`a sailing canoe's first historic voyage from Hawaii to Tahiti; and

WHEREAS, Buffalo Keaulana has participated in a multitude of surfing competitions in which he triumphed, winning the Makaha International Body Surfing Championship in 1954, 1956, 1957, and 1958; and the Makaha International Surfing Championship in 1960; and

WHEREAS, in 1977, Buffalo Keaulana founded the Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic which has perpetuated the arts of longboard surfing, body surfing, body boarding, and paipo boarding at the world-renowned Makaha Beach; and

WHEREAS, Buffalo Keaulana, a legendary waterman, is familiar to surfers around the world and is recognized as a kupuna of surfing in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Sennen Garcia III, better known as "Sunny" Garcia, was born and raised in Hawaii where he was known for his fun-loving yet tenacious personality; and

WHEREAS, in his youth, Sunny discovered his remarkable talent for surfing, which soon became his life's passion; and

WHEREAS, a "secret understanding" was formed between Sunny and the sea, a relationship in which Sunny developed a sixth sense, giving him the ability to anticipate the moves of the ocean and surf; and

WHEREAS, with his winning attitude, Sunny has become a world-renowned professional surfer who has overcome overwhelming odds and broken many barriers in his personal and professional endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Sunny commands the respect and admiration of those around him, including his friends, family, fellow surfers, and adoring fans; and

WHEREAS, Sunny has participated in a multitude of prestigious surfing competitions throughout the world in which he triumphed, winning multiple Triple Crown of Surfing titles; and

WHEREAS, Sunny Garcia has most recently been honored with the coveted title of "World Champion of Surfing"; and

WHEREAS, both of these men have attained tremendous success and contributed greatly to the sport of surfing in Hawaii; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that this body hereby honors and congratulates Richard "Buffalo" Kalolo`okalani Keaulana and Sunny Garcia on their contributions to, and accomplishments in, the sport of surfing, and extends to them its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.