Keoki Interview:
WSSM Magazine FALL 2005

How did you get into shaping?
My father used to shape with his brothers back in the day. I thought I could make a better surfboard than the one I was riding at the time so I asked him to teach me how to shape a board. Along the way I've learned from a variety of shapers - one a shortboard specialist, an old school California shaper from the 60s, a north shore gun specialist, a longboard only shaper, and a few others. I've developed my own style over the years, and have made an effort to remain open minded and be very critical of my own work. I'm still constantly thinking about how to make each board better than the previous shape.

How old were you when you first started surfing?
I caught my first wave when I was five years old. I was sitting on the edge of the water and I unexpectedly got caught by a small shorebreak wave, and instantly I was bodysurfing!!

How long does it take to shape a board?
It depends on the board I'm shaping -- I'll spend about 1 hour to shape a standard shortboard, and I can spend a total of 12 hours on a waimea gun. Big wave guns are often a matter of life or death, so I'll spend a lot more time making sure that the board is just right.

Did your first board turn out well?
My first board was functional, a bit retro style because I shaped it under the tutelage of my dad

Has shaping taken over your life, so much that you lose water time?
It is my job to get my customers in the water before me, so unfortunately my water time is cut down. People seem to understand though, when I put up the 'gone surfing' sign and am nowhere to be found.

What makes girls' shapes different from most guys boards?
I often shape women's boards to be more responsive - this is due to the lighter touch that women have on their boards; however - it is often the case that women shred just as hard (if not harder) than a lot of the guys!!

Should boards be light or heavy?
In my boards I'm always aiming for the highest strength to weight ratio - meaning that i've worked on things with my glassers and the foam company to provide unique layups to have the maximum amount of strength for any given weight of a board.

Why is rocker important?
Rocker is important to allow the board to 'fit' in the wave. Waves have different curves (think pipeline vs Waikiki), and rocker allows a given board to 'fit' into the curves of a certain wave.

When did you decide to become a shaper and why?
I started shaping surfboards about 12 years ago because I had the belief that I could shape a better board than the one I was riding. I was shaping a few boards here and there, while working different jobs and also going to school - I actually applied to medical school, but decided to go through with marine biology instead. I finally got tired of being a marine biologist, and began to pursue my passion for crafting surfboards. I've developed my own style over the years, and have made an effort to remain open minded and be very critical of my own work. I'm still constantly thinking about how to make each board better than the previous shape.

Tell us about the glass on your surfboards?
I use a higher strength cloth and more impact resistant resins compared to what is standard in the surfboard industry - this way I can achieve a stronger product than what is normal. By doing so we extend the life of our surfboards by several years. I've slowly developed the reputation for boards that last longer and are less likely to sustain dings it's all comes down to my philosophy on quality - I really want to provide my customers with a uniquely high quality product that lasts. Too many surfboards in the industry are disposable now days, which doesn't have to be the case.

How do you get custom artwork created?
I have several different artists that work on my boards depending on what kind of artwork is required.

Are you single?
Ready to mingle. Call me anytime. Only when there are no waves, please.

Motorcycle or moped? Skateboard or skates?
Whatever will get me to the beach. Foot-mobile if I have to. Piggy back rides are always the most fun.

Comments on the rising prices of boards?
Surfboard resin and polyurethane foam are petroleum based products. If you look at how the price of gasoline has risen in the past two years, you will better understand the rising costs of surfboards. When you hire a shaper to custom make a surfboard, remember that you are paying not only for that board, but also for the research that has gone into it.