Tom Pohaku Stone Video
Tom Pohaku Stone
Tom Pohaku Stone paddles out to the break on his favorite surfboard – not a modern, fiberglass board, but a board he built with his own hands. Stone is an educator, craftsman and former pro surfer. He’s obsessed with reviving and perpetuating lost aspects of Hawaiian culture, like perfecting the art of crafting papaheenalu (surfboards) in the traditional Hawaiian way.
About a quarter mile from shore, he takes off on a small, playful wave. Tom wears his traditional malo, and seeing him surf here at Kahana Bay can make you feel like you’ve been transported 1,000 years back in time.
Why is surfing so special to Native Hawaiians?
Standing on a board originates in Hawaii. Surfing is who we are as native peoples. We come from the ocean, we love to surf waves. We surfed waves for generations, and we surf waves still. And that's what those boards are about, it's about being able to constantly ride the waves of time. It's an endless wave that never stops."We’re not land people, we’re ocean people."
How did hand-crafting surfboards start for you?
I was a pain-in-the-butt kid, right? And I so wanted that beautiful shiny fiberglass board. And we come from a family that just didn't have that kind of money. My dad, he said he'd take care of it. He got a piece of wood, he cut it out. Started carving it in the traditional way.But at the end of it, I just looked at the board and told my dad I hated it. And in his anger, he just took the board, broke it, lit it up in the fire pit and burned it. And that's actually the number one regret I've ever had, and I've only had a few.
That was an awesome thing my dad did for me. I'm glad before he passed away that I really had the opportunity to express that to him. That I began to go down this pathway, that he had given me that gift, and that he saw the boards I made and he was pretty ecstatic. He was happy.
“When you stand up on a wood board, it's like listening to a beautiful symphony playing that's just soothing to your soul.”
What’s it like riding a traditional wood board?
When you stand up on a wood board, it's like listening to a beautiful symphony playing that's just soothing to your soul, and you just embrace it. It's a harmonization between the wind, the motion of the water, the breaking of the wave. I'm not in this time era, or this time point or era. I'm out. I'm in another place. And I love being in that place.
Why is carrying on what you’ve learned so important to you?
This isn't my knowledge, this is my kupuna's (ancestors) knowledge that they gave to me and now my kuleana (responsibility) is to give to those that want to carry it on. That's what's important, passing that tradition on.
Browse Hawaii Adventures
Swim in the headwater of Hi’ilawe Falls, ride an ATV or group buggy to fabulous lookouts over Waipio Valley-the Valley of the Kings. Great scenery, great fun!
Our four Kauai built boats: Leila, Holo Holo, and Adventurer II & III; will get you to the fun faster, so you have more time to snorkel, sightsee, relax and enjoy the pristine waters and spectacular cliffs of the Napali Coast & Niihau. Reserve Your Kauai Tour today at 1-800-848-6130.
Maui Nei connects history and Hawaiian culture in guided walking adventures and arts immersion programs. Choose from three tour offerings or customized interactive programs for your group. Journey back in time with Hawaiian storytellers to live the aloha in an authentic cultural tour experience.
Kohala Zipline's Kohala Canopy Adventure features elevated suspension bridges, soaring tree platforms and thrilling ziplines. Whether you are a real zipline enthusiast or a first-time adventure seeker, the Kohala Canopy Adventure will be an unforgettable experience.
Kids Zip for 50% Off! Minutes from the sandy beaches of the Poipu Resort area, Kauai's newest zipline thrills guests with 8 spectacular ziplines that soar over lush, native mountain valleys.
Maui Stand Up Paddle Boarding is pleased to offer stand-up paddleboarding lessons, tours, rentals, and photos on Maui.
Valley Isle Excursions takes you on one of the most breathtaking drives on earth down the road to Hana Maui. Spectacular cliffs, bamboo jungles, hawaiian waterfalls, tropical scenery and colorful fragrant flowers are part of our "Heavenly Hana" tour.
Escape from the crowds, buses and tour boats and see Maui from the ocean perspective! Connect with your friends and family as our professional kayak guides take you paddling and snorkeling. You'll see amazing wildlife, enjoy special moments, views and hear stories of Maui.
The Newest Big Island Zipline Tour- Cascading nearly 250 ft., one of the World's most spectacular waterfalls passes under your feet as you glide effortlessly through the air.
Experience Maui's top-rated Whalewatch, as well as award-winning snorkel cruises to Molokini & Turtle Arches, Lana'i and Honolua Bay; Dolphin Watch ecotours; Sunset Dinner and Cocktail Cruises; and much more with the experts at Pacifc Whale Foundation.