over the past 22 years, i’ve probably gone to Okinawa around 30 times. this was one place where i would actually tear up when i’d be leaving. i really felt like home there and i felt really connected to the culture and the people. 
Kazubo-san is the coolest Okinawan you’ll ever meet. i was super grateful to have meet him because his network of family and friends always made me feel like home. so it made every one of my Okinawa trips super special. 
i clearly remember this trip to Okinawa with the Wakayama boys. we would drive everyday for hours and hours listening to “Begin” in the car singing every song. good food, good surf, good people, and good times…
you’re never too old to have a great time in Okinawa. when ever i use to see these drinking games start, i would run back to my room and lock the door. i was super strong when it came to alcohol, but no match for these guys. so i just ran away. and sometimes they would be pounding on my door in the middle of the night. haha. 
we’d be at the bar at Hokulea all night till all the staff went home. then we’d still be there helping ourselves to the beer machine. with a rooftop bar with your hotel room downstairs, why not? this is when i almost broke my shoulder hitting the reef super hard. maybe that’s why i was up so late this night. i was probably trying to kill the pain. haha. 
if you’re in Okinawa, you either surf, drink, or laugh. and when you had a few too many Orion beers, you laugh and play. i was waiting to use the toilet talking to my Okinawan friend. this gave the boys a good laugh. haha. 
then when the Okinawan team comes to Hawaii, you do the same thing you do in Okinawa. invite family, friends, and have a bbq party on the beach. surf v-land and bbq after. i love this life!
i made this video back in 2009. every time i watch it, it makes me smile. memories that will last forever. thank you Okinawa for the good times. i can’t wait to see you guys again…
