In a month filled with extraordinary weather conditions, unfortunately none of them included surf. We did see some guys tow surfing on the news when reporters from all over the country came to observe the wrath of hurricane Flossy which had developed into a category 4, but dissipated before reaching the island chain. Oahu just got a little rain and strong east trades and a little surf at east and SE facing locations. South shores were tiny, not even 3 feet.


When even the oldest old timers however, are saying this is the worst summer they can ever remember you know that it's pretty bad. With a winter that produced its biggest swell in April and a summer that is almost non existent, it leaves most of us wondering what the heck it going on. If we are getting a lack of surf; is somewhere else given an abundance and when will things get back to normal here in Hawaii, if ever?


We literally had two swells all month, one was 1-2 ft and the other was 1-3 in town, country was barely a dribble, and the east side actually got a sneaker swell which was actually pretty decent in the 4 ft range if with decent along with the hurricane swell which would have had strong onshore winds.


Surf contestants scored this month, with the gromfest capturing the only 2 ft swell at Ala Moana Bowls in weeks and the Duke Fest being held with the best surf all month. There was a legends team competition and Roxy Pro Longboard event for the girls with all kinds of categories including tandem and even stand up surf, won by Bonga Perkins.


The festival is like the end of summer beach bash; the place is packed with people you know or have heard about at some point in time. Even local celebrities such as weatherman Guy Hagi competed with legends like Ben Aipa or Rabbit Kekai. When I say the best surf all month, it was still only 1-2 with occasional 3 ft sets, but none of us were complaining, matter of fact it was nice just to remember what a wave looks like.


There were a couple of good gigs to check out in town this month amidst our surfing blues. Common played with his DJ and live band put on by a hip store in Ward center called Dig Lifestyles. It was an incredible show at Pipeline cafe. Hawaii emcees threw down at the Lotus Bar in Waikiki with Audible Lab Rats, and Hunger Pains including Creed Camelion, Rise Up, Seth One and a few others. Check these guys out if you ever get the chance. Gwen Stefani played at the Blaisdell and Wu Tang Clan will be here at the beginning of the month,


A man claims to have contracted flesh eating disease on Kauai from reef cuts, gross, really makes you wonder what the heck is causing that. Pioneering female surfer Jeannie Chesser has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and started heavy radiation therapy on July 30th. She is still paddling out to Bowls early mornings and is an incredible inspiration to us all. Her spirit reminds us of the true meaning of what it is to be a surfer. A fundraiser will be held for her at Hard Rock Cafe on Thursday September 20th and 100% of proceeds will go to help Jeannie. Those who cant make it to the party can donate to: Da Friends of Jeannie Chesser: First Hawaiian Bank, 1348 Hunakai St.Honolulu, HI 96816


While temperatures were cooler than normal most of August, brush fires turned up the heat in Waialua on the Northshore covering 7000 acres of land. A statewide fire emergency was called as the fire smoldered for 5 days causing some evacuations and school closures. While no homes or lives were lost, its impact on the Northshore's agricultural community and environment has been disastrous, farmers are still calculating the damages. Pahoa residents on the Big Island are certainly feeling the heat as a new flow of Lava forming to the north from Kilauea is now visible from nearby communities. It is close enough to have startled several phone calls into civil defense to see if some might need to evacuate, however at this time they say there is no immediate threat. If that wasn't enough the Big Island was shook by a 5.3 earthquake which scared residents and tourists, but there was no serious damage. All of the islands were put on a tsunani watch from 2 other large earthquakes this month; one from Peru and the other S. America.


Garrett McNamara and Kealii Mamala escaped the heat and the small surf this month by attempting to tow surf collapsing glaciers in Alaska. Inside Edition reported on the stunt, mentioning that they waited anywhere from 5 minutes to 12 hours for these glaciers to produce waves which were more difficult than expected to ride.


I don't know if I am more perplexed by the idea itself or that they actually went through with it. Really, it just makes me laugh because I wouldn't put anything past these surfing Einsteins. On the other, it is a testament to Hawaii's lack of surf this year. Pray For Surf!

by Lane Davey

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