Every Day Has Its Summit - “Behind-the-Scenes” with OluKai

Behind-the-scenes look at our Fall lifestyle photoshoot in Maui with renowned photographer Daniel Bloom.

When we arrived at the Kahului Airport in Maui, Hawaii, there was an immediate acclimatization, via the short, humid, signature hike to the outdoor baggage claim. The cast of characters originates from many different parts of the world, but just about everyone has Hawaii pouring through their veins. We all came together to capture the photography for the OluKai Fall/Winter 2013 campaign, launching the brand’s diverse line of new styles. From upcountry ranch boots to relaxed lifestyle closed toe shoes.

For the next several days we are a family, with Maui as our home. Lumeria Maui was our home base, a beautiful boutique yoga retreat outside of Paia on the north shore of the island. Lumeria served as both a functional photography production facility as well as one of our set locations. The lush gardens and restored historic buildings was a perfect venue to capture the rugged yet refined theme of our Fall/Winter product range. The zen lawn provided a sophisticated and playful spot to capture a spontaneous game of lawn bowling- Hawaii style.

 

 

Our photographer, Daniel Bloom, is a rising star originally from northern Sweden. He’s honed his photography skills in the snowy landscapes of high altitude snowboarding. His ability to capture the energy of a scene and deliver the human element in each photo is what has drawn OluKai to his work.

 

Since 1883 the Williams family has captured the spirit of Hawaii, one snapshot at a time. For past several years, OluKai has partnered with the Williams family to help preserve and share their historic collection of photography. The featured image depicts waterman Warren Ackerman skillfully thawing a fishing net. To pay homage to the original, we recreated the scene in full color near Ukumehame Beach on our first day of shooting.

    

Day two and three were dedicated to upcountry stories. Maui gives us a generous selection of ranches, forests and trails as possible locations. Much of the Fall/Winter 2013 collection was inspired by this rugged upcountry of Hawaii’s ranchers. The Paniolos, or Hawaiian Cowboys have a rich history that continues to modern day. We chose Piiholo Ranch as location to tell this story. The legacy of Piiholo Ranch extends for generations dating back pre-1800s as a thriving cattle ranch.

 

 

OluKai Partners with TYLER'S Dam That Cancer

OluKai proudly partnered with Austin-based retailer TYLER’S on Dam That Cancer, a premiere fundraising event benefiting the Flatwater Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides access to mental health services for those affected by cancer. Taking place on Lake Austin, Dam That Cancer is centered around a 21-mile stand-up paddle race and celebration. As a core ethos of OluKai’s Giveback Program, a portion of proceeds of OluKai sales at TYLER'S will go directly to the Flatwater Foundation from May 15th to June 15th.

Dam That Cancer participants are cancer survivors, brothers or sisters, sons or daughters, mothers or fathers or even the best friend of someone touched by the disease. The Flatwater Foundation is an Austin-based, non-profit dedicated to providing those in the community diagnosed with cancer, as well as their families and loved ones, access to therapy and physical activities to improve their mental health.

"OluKai is proud to join TYLER’S and support Dam That Cancer's mission,” says Kerry Konrady, OluKai's marketing director. “Tyler’s cultural values are closely aligned with our 'Ohana Giveback Program; striving to make a local and meaningful impact to the community.

Along with our local reps, we flew our mentor and brand ambassador who is a member of the Hawaiian Waterman Hall of Fame, Archie Kalepa to support the event, inviting influential paddlers and local heroes to join him on his “SUPsquatch”, an oversized standup paddle board, to collectively race the 21-mile route through the entire length of Lake Austin. “We have a saying in Hawaii that I think encompasses OluKai’s Hawaiian cultural values and our passion to help those in the community around us through our ‘Ohana Giveback Program: Malama Pono, which means take care do right,” says Archie Kalepa.

Paddlers entering in the race are showing their individual dedication in the global fight against cancer by raising over $1,500 each for The Flatwater Foundation. Riding stand-up paddle boards from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam, this group of committed paddlers will travel the entire length of Lake Austin, 21 total miles. Along the route, Tyler's Dam That Cancer sponsors and volunteers will accompany the paddlers onboard the “sponsor-ships,” donated party-boats that will provide water, food and plenty of encouragement. Everyone will have the opportunity to participate and show support by attending the “We Paddle, You Party” fundraising celebration at the finish line, located at the one and only Hula Hut.

 For more photos please visit: facebook.com/olukai

Celebrate Dad with His Favorite Island Inspired Footwear

Win our Hawaiian Lifeguard Collection For Dad!

Contest Is Now Closed. Thank you to everyone who participated.

HLA Collection includes one pair each of the Kia’i Trainer II, Kamiki and Kia’i II sandal. Contest ends on June 30, 2013 at 11:59 PST. A winner will be announced on July 8, 2013. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Please visit olukai.com for promotion rules.

Paddle Forward To Giveback: The 5th Annual OluKai Ho'olaule'a

This past weekend, we celebrated extended family and Hawaiian culture at our 5th annual Ho’olaule’a on May 11-12 in Maui, Hawaii. Event participants and festival goers gathered Saturday and Sunday for what has become one of the most celebrated festival and elite standup paddle competitions (SUP) in the world. With the largest gathering in its history, the event featured canoe sailing, surfing, ancient Hawaiian games, luau, hula, and a history making live music concert.

Competing for equal gender prize money of $15,000, SUP and OC1/OC2 (outrigger canoe 1 man/outrigger canoe 2 man) racers traveled from 10 countries and 15 mainland US states to compete in the Maliko Downwind run, one of the largest SUP races in the world which spans 8 miles of legendary open ocean and finishes with a 300 yard beach sprint.

 

 

 

The top 3 winners in men’s SUP included Connor Baxter taking 1st place and Dave Kalama and Kai Lenny taking 2nd and 3rd respectively. Taking 1st place in women’s SUP was Andrea Moller, followed by Talia Gangini in 2nd and Devin Blish in 3rd. In men’s OC1/OC2, Kai Bartlett finished 1st, Manny Kulukulualani 2nd, and the team of Dave Kalama and Junya McGurn finished 3rd. The top 3 in the women’s OC1/OC2 race were Lauren Spalding in 1st, Andrea Moller in 2nd and Dane Ward in 3rd.

For full results of the SUP race, go to http://live.pseresults.com/e/27#/.
For full results of the OC1/OC2 races, go to http://live.pseresults.com/e/28#/

In celebration of the competition and our giveback partners, we presented a musical history-making concert Saturday night featuring six of Hawaii’s top musical recording artists on one stage, for a Hawaiian Kanakapili style back yard jam; a style of Hawaiian music produced in an impromptu jam session. Paula Fuga, Kimie Miner, Justin Young, Ekolu Kalama and Hawaii’s hottest female recording artist and longtime OluKai brand partner, Anuhea, along with Billboard’s #1 Reggae artist, Mishka, played several of their original hits as well as special selections, traditional and modern, in various configurations with each other.

Consistent with our commitment to always giving back through our 'Ohana Giveback program, OluKai made monetary donations in excess of $20,000 to the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Maui Cultural Lands, Lae Ula o Kai Canoe Club, Uhane O Waa Kaulua, Paia Youth and Cultural Center and Zenshin Daiko. And continuing with our hands-on approach to giving back, OluKai employees who qualified for travel to Ho’olaule’a by contributing a minimum of 20 hours of local service leading up to the event, wrapped up the weekend at the Maui Cultural Lands Giveback Day. Upwards of 100 local volunteers and OluKai staff traveled to Honokowai Valley, a cultural heritage preservation site to contribute efforts towards reforestation and archeological stabilization projects.

Through this one-of-a-kind festival experience, we want to thank everyone who helps support the event from special guests from major and specialty retailers including REI, Zappos, and Sport Chalet; professional paddlers driving the sport of SUP; cultural icons like Archie Kalepa; six renowned Hawaiian musicians; OluKai staff, and over 2,000 passionate locals and festivalgoers. Aloha.

Visit OluKai's facebook for a complete set of event photography.

5th Annual Ho'olaule'a Race Results

DAY 1 SUP RACE RESULTS: http://live.pseresults.com/e/27#/
DAY 2 OC1 & OC2 RACE RESULTS: http://live.pseresults.com/e/28#/

Men's SUP Elite

1. Connor Baxter - 00:50:04
2. Dave Kalama - 00:51:39
3. Kai Lenny - 00:52:35
4. Slater Trout - 00:52:54
5. Scott Gamble - 00:53:19
6. Grags Croniea - 00:53:26

Women's SUP Elite

1. Andrea Muller - 01:02:15
2. Talia Gangini - 01:05:30
3. Devin Blish - 01:05:38
4. Karla Gilbert - 01:06:39
5. Kathy Shipman - 01:08:45
6. Mariko Strickland - 01:09:49

Men's OC1 Elite

1. Kai Bartlett  - 00:48:05
2. Manny Kulukululani - 00:48:25
3. Alfred Van Gieson  - 00:49:20
4. Jacob Abegtia - 00:49:35
5. Georges Cronsteadt - 00:49:53
6. Scott Gamble - 00:50:22

Women's OC1 Elite 

1. Lauren Spalding - 00:52:50
2. Andrea Mollet - 00:53:03
3. Dane Ward - 00:56:27
4. Jane McKee - 00:59:00
5. Fiona Van Ammers - 01:05:22
6. Marge Kawaiaea - 01:06:33

OluKai A Big Part of Punta Sayulita Classic Giveback Program

As official Giveback sponsor of the 4th annual Punta Sayulita Classic, we celebrated the conclusion of a highly successful event this past weekend. With multiple giveback events throughout the weekend, we fulfilled our goal of inspiring event goers to giveback too.

The event took place in the quaint village of Sayulita, Mexico, featuring 250 of the best surfers and stand-up-paddlers in the world participating in the SUP Surf and Longboard contests as well as SUP Elite, and Offshore Distance and Fun races where several father-daughter teams participated paddling together. Over 3,000 people attended throughout the weekend with beautiful sunny skies and consistent 3-5 foot swells creating fun, yet challenging waves for all. International reggae recording star Mishka performed to a lively beach crowd and the event culminated with a very special awards dinner for family and friends.

Our company wide, hands-on participation included participating in the Punta Sayulita Classic’s Friday “Foundation Day” where it partnered with various organizations including local, ecological and community-oriented private school, Costa Verde International School (CVIS) in educating youth on the plastic recycling process and why its so important.

 

We also collaborated on additional activities including: a surf clinic for special needs and underprivileged children under the supervision of renowned longboard surfer, Jimmy Gamboa and members of his TheraSURF organization; a community-wide beach cleanup managed by former pro surfer James Pribram of the Eco-Warrier Foundation and members from Project Save Our Surf; and a children’s interactive Reef Day art camp with local artist Treva Dea of Sayulita Art Camps. All events were free and open to the public. In addition, we donated shoes and tee-shirts to locals and event participants.

“The Punta Sayulita Classic is a special event for many reasons but one in particular stands out for us,” says Kerry Konrady, OluKai’s marketing director. “There is truly such a massive focus on giveback, and everyone, including the athletes, event organizers and attendees band together to make a difference. We are inspired by the ‘Ohana of the event.” 100% sponsorship dollars went to area Reef Check and to the Punta Sayulita Foundation’s children development programs.

 For more information about the event visit: http://puntasayulitasurfclassic.com