More photos from our 2018 Krui trip.

Traveling takes time, patience, understanding, and flexibility.  You have to be willing to take chances, willing for change, and willing to learn.  Kimura-san and I usually look for the cutest girl at the airport counter, speak very nicely, and hope for the best.  It never works.  Haha.  

On the last day of this trip, I got shocking news of a dear friend that suddenly passed away.  I went numb.  My mind wasn’t working, neither was my body.  I totally shut down and all I wanted to do was to go home.  So looking back at these photos makes me sad, but at the same time, makes me appreciate life.  Looks like we scored yeah?  

Matsu taking off deep.  

Matsu and Eri-chan waiting for the perfect wave.

When the mega swell hit, the whole ocean came alive.  I’m not going to lie, I was kind of nervous paddling out to this spot.  A spot I’ve never surfed, never heard of, or never seen before.  I knew paddling out on my 6’2 was going to be a challenge on these monster 10′ waves.  Look how small that guy is!  

There were only 3 of us surfers out.  This wave came in and nobody even looked at it.  Nobody wanted any part of it.  I was wondering why so when I turned around to paddle for it, I looked back into the tube and said “no thank you!”  If you make a mistake out here, you will die.  Nobody was rushing into waves and we all ended up taking turns.  One of the few times I didn’t want a turn but when I was up, I had to go.  Paddle hard, commit, and hope for the best!

The EDDIE AIKAU Big Wave Invitational.
Opening Ceremony: December 8, 2023
Waiting Period: December 14, 2023 to March 12, 2024.
Eddie Would Go!

Good morning 4:30am.
North shore head high and bumpy.
Ala Moana knee high and slow.
Diamond Head shoulder high and wild.
Strong trade winds at 35mph.
Sun, clouds, showers, and double rainbows.
Going to the sea.
Have a wonderful day!

Hawaiian Airlines is one of the most expensive and strictest airlines when it comes to traveling with surfboards.  There’s been complaints for decades and traveling surfers try to avoid flying on Hawaiian by all means.  But just recently, they declined a Hawaiian pro surfer from checking in his surfboards because it was a couple pounds overweight.  That surfer complained on social media and it went viral.

Until now, they allow 50 pounds for one bag which cost $150.  If your bag is 51 pounds, they won’t let you check it in.  That’s why I weight my board bag 10x before I head to the airport because if it’s 1 pound over, it isn’t flying with you no matter what.

Anyway, that viral post from Billy Kemper must have worked because Hawaiian Airlines all of a sudden changed their international surfboard fees.  Instead of $150 each way, they lowered it to $75 each way.  They also cut back on their strict rules to allow oversized boards to be checked in.

And now flying from Japan to Hawaii, a surfboard bag will cost only 11,000 yen.  You can fill a bag up with as many boards as you want but it has to be 50lbs or less.  Thank you Hawaiian Airlines!  Opps, I mean thank you Billy Kemper!