The city reversed the decision and the beach boys are staying. We kept the tradition alive by forcing them to recognize the value of our history. Keep a close watch on the new contract terms to ensure these concessions stay in the right hands.
July 15, 2018
Final supporters
Imagine a Waikiki without "The beach boys, the Hawaiians, the originals" Waikiki is a part of the beach boys and the beach boys are a part of Waikiki! Without one the other cannot exist.
Would you even trust a person/ company who has no prior surf stand experience to run Kuhio beach? (Prior experience is one of the requirements that was set by the city, by the way.) That is what could happen if this new company comes in and takes over, not to mention the ending of an era that makes Waikiki, Waikiki.
More info:
"Tuesday, Waikiki Surf stands Star Beachboys and Hawaiian Oceans will be taken over by Dive Oahu. Its a move that could jeopardize the tradition that is the Waikiki Beach Boys.
Like Alika Willis, who is a third generation beach boy. He says their laid-back, easy going lifestyle comes through in their style of instruction.
"It's not a job," said fellow Waikiki Beach Boy, Kevin Okimoto. "It's a lifestyle."
They both say that lifestyle could be gone once the new management takes over.
Every five years, the stand owners have to bid for a contract with the city of Honolulu. This time, Dive Oahu was awarded both concessions.
Dive Oahu's owner, Brian Benton, said after he officially takes over the sports on Tuesday, anyone is welcome to apply for a job. He expects new employees to abide by the same standards set for current ones, which includes a professional attitude, set work schedules, drug tests and uniforms.
A dress code is not something current Beach Boys like.
"He wants to dress us up like a Disney Land-type worker with a collared shirt and brown khaki shorts and name tags and that's just not us," said Willis.
"If they come on the beach, the tradition of the Beach Boys is over," said Aaron Rutledge, owner of Star Beachboys.
He says the city's never offered a dive company to make a bid before, and is upset that they allowed Dive Oahu to proceed.
Other beach boys, like 50-year veteran Aki, says a management change could scare away customers.
"I have a lot of customers come back to me," he said. "We have the experience. We have the qualifications. We have the safety. We have everything."
Waikiki Beach Boys plan to fight the city's decision. They also filed a restraining order with a local judge to prevent Dive Oahu from taking over. As of Saturday evening, they are still waiting for the judge's response."
-KITV news article
Updates
Reached 10,000 supporters
May 18, 2018
May 17, 2018
The momentum behind this fight proves that the tradition of our beach boys runs deep in the heart of this city. Post this link on Facebook right now to ensure people know what is at stake. Text three friends and tell them to join us in defending the soul of Waikiki.
May 16, 2018
We just hit 1,000 signatures to protect our beach boys. Post this link on your Facebook page right now. Email your representative to demand they stop this takeover.
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 14, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
May 14, 2018
May 13, 2018
We are grinding toward the one thousand signature mark to prove the city cannot ignore our heritage. Post this link on your Facebook wall right now and text three friends to get them to sign before the day ends.
3,343 Comments
When you get rid of the Aloha spirit, what is Hawaii? People go to Hawaii because of Aloha. If you continue to push out native Hawaiians, you push out Aloha. Aloha is why you go to Hawaii. You can get islands anywhere. You can only get Aloha in Hawaii.
I’m confused as to WHY there’s even possibility about having the Star Waikiki Beach Boys being bought out to someone who’s stealing the same concept and putting his own name on it. There’s no Aloha spirit in that. Keep OUR boys on THEIR turf. Mahalo
The locals have know the waters. Keep it local! We deserve to keep our traditions alive and our culture alive. No more with the corporate world rich kind folk with money taking our jobs our lifestyle and our land! WE ARE NOT A RESORT! This is our home!
Being from Hawaii we grew up respecting the ocean. I was a beach boy for two years in Waikiki and it was the best job I ever had. I wouldn't want to see the culture and spirit of the beach boy be taken by those that have no idea of what it means.
Waikiki beach boy is our Hawaiian family. I and my mother went Hawaii since about 46years. Of cause I couldn’t speak English that time. But they really kind and took care of us a lot. Mom is 81years old now.she still wants to see beach boy at Hawaii.
Honour our surfing First Nation people and culture
Stop screwing the Hawaiian people!
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The city reversed the decision and the beach boys are staying. We kept the tradition alive by forcing them to recognize the value of our history. Keep a close watch on the new contract terms to ensure these concessions stay in the right hands.
July 15, 2018
Final supporters
Imagine a Waikiki without "The beach boys, the Hawaiians, the originals" Waikiki is a part of the beach boys and the beach boys are a part of Waikiki! Without one the other cannot exist.
Would you even trust a person/ company who has no prior surf stand experience to run Kuhio beach? (Prior experience is one of the requirements that was set by the city, by the way.) That is what could happen if this new company comes in and takes over, not to mention the ending of an era that makes Waikiki, Waikiki.
More info:
"Tuesday, Waikiki Surf stands Star Beachboys and Hawaiian Oceans will be taken over by Dive Oahu. Its a move that could jeopardize the tradition that is the Waikiki Beach Boys.
Like Alika Willis, who is a third generation beach boy. He says their laid-back, easy going lifestyle comes through in their style of instruction.
"It's not a job," said fellow Waikiki Beach Boy, Kevin Okimoto. "It's a lifestyle."
They both say that lifestyle could be gone once the new management takes over.
Every five years, the stand owners have to bid for a contract with the city of Honolulu. This time, Dive Oahu was awarded both concessions.
Dive Oahu's owner, Brian Benton, said after he officially takes over the sports on Tuesday, anyone is welcome to apply for a job. He expects new employees to abide by the same standards set for current ones, which includes a professional attitude, set work schedules, drug tests and uniforms.
A dress code is not something current Beach Boys like.
"He wants to dress us up like a Disney Land-type worker with a collared shirt and brown khaki shorts and name tags and that's just not us," said Willis.
"If they come on the beach, the tradition of the Beach Boys is over," said Aaron Rutledge, owner of Star Beachboys.
He says the city's never offered a dive company to make a bid before, and is upset that they allowed Dive Oahu to proceed.
Other beach boys, like 50-year veteran Aki, says a management change could scare away customers.
"I have a lot of customers come back to me," he said. "We have the experience. We have the qualifications. We have the safety. We have everything."
Waikiki Beach Boys plan to fight the city's decision. They also filed a restraining order with a local judge to prevent Dive Oahu from taking over. As of Saturday evening, they are still waiting for the judge's response."
-KITV news article
Updates
Reached 10,000 supporters
May 18, 2018
May 17, 2018
The momentum behind this fight proves that the tradition of our beach boys runs deep in the heart of this city. Post this link on Facebook right now to ensure people know what is at stake. Text three friends and tell them to join us in defending the soul of Waikiki.
May 16, 2018
We just hit 1,000 signatures to protect our beach boys. Post this link on your Facebook page right now. Email your representative to demand they stop this takeover.
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 14, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
May 14, 2018
May 13, 2018
We are grinding toward the one thousand signature mark to prove the city cannot ignore our heritage. Post this link on your Facebook wall right now and text three friends to get them to sign before the day ends.
3,343 Comments
This is absurd! I strongly object and want Waikiki to stay the same. The ocean is dangerous and years of knowledge cannot be replaced! I was on Waikiki just 3 days ago. There is comfort knowing the experts are there. Don’t ruin it please. Thank you
When you get rid of the Aloha spirit, what is Hawaii? People go to Hawaii because of Aloha. If you continue to push out native Hawaiians, you push out Aloha. Aloha is why you go to Hawaii. You can get islands anywhere. You can only get Aloha in Hawaii.
I’m confused as to WHY there’s even possibility about having the Star Waikiki Beach Boys being bought out to someone who’s stealing the same concept and putting his own name on it. There’s no Aloha spirit in that. Keep OUR boys on THEIR turf. Mahalo
The locals have know the waters. Keep it local! We deserve to keep our traditions alive and our culture alive. No more with the corporate world rich kind folk with money taking our jobs our lifestyle and our land! WE ARE NOT A RESORT! This is our home!
Being from Hawaii we grew up respecting the ocean. I was a beach boy for two years in Waikiki and it was the best job I ever had. I wouldn't want to see the culture and spirit of the beach boy be taken by those that have no idea of what it means.
Waikiki beach boy is our Hawaiian family. I and my mother went Hawaii since about 46years. Of cause I couldn’t speak English that time. But they really kind and took care of us a lot. Mom is 81years old now.she still wants to see beach boy at Hawaii.
Honour our surfing First Nation people and culture
Stop screwing the Hawaiian people!
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This is absurd! I strongly object and want Waikiki to stay the same. The ocean is dangerous and years of knowledge cannot be replaced! I was on Waikiki just 3 days ago. There is comfort knowing the experts are there. Don’t ruin it please. Thank you