John Kelly Environmental Awards comes to Waimea
On Sat., Nov. 13, the Surfrider Foundation’s Oahu Chapter will present the 8th Annual John Kelly Environmental Awards to those who have helped protect and enhance our coastal community and environment.
The dinner, silent auction and party will be held at the Waimea Valley Pavilion and will feature solar-powered live music (thanks to Sunetric) from Paula Fuga, Rob Barreca and Jive Nene. Tickets are $40 in advance ($50 at the door), and proceeds will benefit Surfrider’s Oahu Chapter.
“We’re stoked to hold this event at Waimea Valley because we were part of the coalition that helped save the Valley a few years ago,” says Surfrider’s Stuart Coleman. “The event will also be the kick-off party for the Triple Crown of Surfing again this year, and we have a lot of great sponsors and former winners who will be at the event this year.”
Sponsors for this year’s party include Barefoot Wine, Kona Brewing Co., the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, First Wind, Surf4Hugs, RevoluSun, Team Real Estate and others. Former award winners and surfing legends like Peter Cole and Randy Rarick will join current pros on the World Tour to take part in the fundraiser. There’s an impressive list of awardees again this year.
Mark Cunningham will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and leadership with the Defend Oahu Coalition and the Junior Lifeguard Program. Along with being a world champion bodysurfer and lifelong lifeguard, Mark has worked for year to preserve the North Shore and stop the Turtle Bay Resort’s massive expansion plans.
This long struggle culminated in the State Supreme Court’s decision this year to require the resort do a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement before expanding their property. The Honolulu Weekly will receive the Environmentally Friendly Local Company Award for their continuing coverage of the most pressing environmental issues in Honolulu.
From the Save Pupukea-Paumalu campaign years ago to their most recent cover stories about Kyo-Ya’s pending development plans for Waikiki, the publisher and editors of the Weekly have combined excellent research, in-depth reporting and a courageous commitment to go against the establishment to protect Oahu’s environment and coastal areas.
Duane DeSoto will receive the Professional Surfer Award for his work as a world-class waterman and the founder & president of Na Kama Kai. Duane is not only a talented surfer, but he and his friends at Na Kama Kai have dedicated themselves to offering ocean awareness classes and training to local kids around the Island.
Continuing in the tradition of Surfrider Board Member Rell Sunn, Duane has shown a concern for teaching local keiki the importance of taking care of the environment and becoming stewards of our oceans and beaches.
“The Award Ceremony is in memory of John Kelly, one of the greatest surfers and environmental activists Hawaii has ever produced,” says Coleman. “The event honors ocean-lovers and environmental leaders who have followed in his footsteps.” Here’s a list of previous winners, all of whom have been invited to attend the event:
Previous Winners Lifetime Achievement Oahu-Based Company Professional Surfer
2009 Yvon Chouinard Bill Braden The Malloy Brothers
2008 Shaun Tomson Styrophobia Dave Rastovich
2007 Randy Rarick Pacific Biodiesel James Pribram
2006 Peter Cole Schnitzer Steel Hawaii Pancho Sullivan
2005 Larry McElheny Jack Johnson/Brushfire Records Rochelle Ballard
2004 George Downing Oceanit Kelly Slater
2003 John Kelly Patagonia - Haleiwa Rob Machado
Tickets can be purchased online at the Oahu Chapter’s website: Surfrider.org/oahu. Tables can be reserved for sponsors as well. Tickets will also be available at the Green Drinks event at Aloha Tower Waterfront on Tue., Nov. 2, from 5:30-8:00pm.
The day after the John Kelly Awards Party, the Oahu Chapter will be hosting a beach cleanup at Haleiwa Beach Park on Sun., 11/14, from 10:00-12:00. The event is co-sponsored by First Wind, who will be providing lunch afterward, and by Everpaddle, who will be bringing stand-up paddle boards to help clean plastic debris in the ocean and in the Haleiwa River.
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through Conservation, Activism, Research and Education (CARE). Originally founded in 1984 by a group of visionary surfers, the Surfrider Foundation is now in its 26th year and has grown to more than 50 chapters and 70,000 members. The Oahu Chapter has been busy working on issues of beach access, water quality, coastal preservation and plastic marine debris.
