Hawaiian South Shore December 2025 Newsletter - 30 Years of Aloha
December 2025 Newsletter
Your Surf Boutique • Expert Advice • Friendly Staff
Merry Christmas from David
30 Years of Hawaiian South Shore: A Christmas Thank You
Aloha everybody,
Thirty years ago, I cashed out my 401(k) from Atlantis Submarines, took everything I'd learned about planning and discipline from my Navy days, and opened Hawaiian South Shore just before Thanksgiving. I didn't know much about surfboards then—I was just learning to surf myself—but the community believed in me anyway.
Growing up in Okinawa, I watched my grandmother run her businesses with fierce attention to quality, and my uncle trusted me to help manage his construction company before I could drive. When I first arrived in Hawaii, something felt familiar—the pace of life, the ocean, the warmth of the people—it reminded me of home. That's why I stayed, and that's why I built this shop here.
The early years weren't easy. Established shops blocked us from carrying major brands, so we pivoted—first to outlet clothing from LA, then skateboarding with our own 320SS brand, and finally back to surf through the kindness of people like Wendell Kong and Wade Tokoro. A friend who passed away about five years ago came and ran the shop while I recovered from a kidney transplant in 1999—never asked for anything in return. That's the kind of aloha that built this place.
We survived 9/11, SARS, and COVID—and everything in between. Along the way, I've been blessed to learn from masters of the craft: Dan Mann, CJ Nelson, Matt Biolos, Taylor Jensen, and fin designers like Larry Allison and Noah who helped us bring the Takayama halo fins and classic flex fins to Hawaii. Every conversation teaches me something new about rocker, rails, and what makes a board come alive.
Beyond the shop, we've tried to give back: partnering with Rainbow Drive Inn on backpacks for elementary school kids in need, hosting blood drives, movie nights, and collaborating with Japanese magazines that helped spread the aloha spirit overseas.
To our crew, our virtual assistants who handle custom orders and keep the website running, and most importantly—to every single customer who has trusted us with your surfing journey—mahalo nui loa. You've made these 30 years possible.
From the bottom of my heart: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Hawaiian South Shore.
Here's to the next chapter.
With aloha,
David & The Hawaiian South Shore Ohana 🤙
Member of the Month
Victor Carlos
1. Tell us about yourself - what do you do for work or what business do you run?
My wife and I own and run Vics Place physical therapy in Huntington Beach, CA. We work 3 twelve-hour days and surf on our off days.
2. If you create content or have a business people should know about, tell us!
Instagram — @vics_pt
3. How did you first hear about Hawaiian South Shore?
We were looking for surf gear and were told that HSS was the place to go.
4. Why do you love surfing? How does it fit into your life?
Surfing is a way of life for me. It's my form of mental therapy. The world is always changing, the ocean is the only constant. Sandbars change, waves change but the ocean remains. Surfing exercises your entire person mentally and physically.
5. What's the last board or piece of gear you got from us, and how has it been working for you?
While I was at HSS looking for a board bag, I saw a sick Seaside Helium Firewire that I purchased when I got back to HB. My guys at HSS promptly packaged my board and shipped it out to me. My new board is so sick!!! Killing 1-5 foot waves, getting in early and making sections with ease.
6. If a friend asked you for gear advice, what's one thing from Hawaiian South Shore you'd recommend and why?
I would say look there for a board first. HSS has a killer selection of boards.
7. What keeps you coming back to Hawaiian South Shore?
Obviously the surf gear is second to none, however the staff is friendly, knowledgeable and they make me laugh (the staff) is the main reason I will always go to HSS for all my surf needs.
8. What would you tell someone who's thinking about shopping at Hawaiian South Shore for the first time?
I would let them know they won't go wrong by stopping here first. I would also let them know that if you can't find what you want at HSS they will direct you to where you may find what you are looking for—as the staff is all about helping their customers.
9. What's something you're working on or excited about right now?
At the moment we are working on adding more cold plunges and saunas to our clinic. We are also headed back to the island in February.
Mahalo for being part of our ohana, Victor!
Featured Product
Donald Takayama DT Flex Fin
The Donald Takayama Flex Fin gives you what most single fins can't: the quick pivot response you need for direction changes and the hold and drive you want for committed nose rides. This isn't a compromise between two styles—it's a template Donald designed to deliver both.
What makes the Flex Fin different? The bottom two-thirds uses an upright pivot-style template for quick turns. The top third rakes back significantly, creating resistance that holds your board steady when you walk to the nose. You get maneuverability without sacrificing control.
Handcrafted Construction: Every Takayama Flex Fin is handcrafted by Larry Allison in California. Larry has been making Donald Takayama's fin templates for over 30 years, using techniques he's been perfecting since 1971.
Construction specifications: 29 layers of 7.5-ounce fiberglass (not the 4 oz or 6 oz cloth used in mass-produced fins), spine positioned at 25% from the leading edge for lift and water release, and hand-foiled trailing edge and tip—a craft Larry describes as "almost a dying art."
The result is a fin with controlled flex dynamics that feels responsive without being loose. Due to the flex characteristics, a 9.5" Flex Fin will feel more like a 9" conventional fin in the water—you can run slightly more depth without feeling over-finned.
Featured Board
Harley Ingleby HIBT 3+3
The HIBT 3+3 marks the first full collaboration between Billy Tolhurst and Harley Ingleby, resulting in an all-new HI x Tolhurst model developed from the ground up. Unlike previous Thunderbolt boards—typically based on existing designs with refinements—the HIBT had both Billy and Harley involved in every stage of design, testing, and refinement.
Three Boards in One: The HIBT introduces a unique 3+3 fin setup offering unmatched versatility. The board can be configured as a true quad (black plugs), true twin (white plugs), or with an asym fin setup (twin on toe side rail + quad on heel side rail)—adapting easily to different styles and wave conditions, all in one board.
The R&D Story: Billy started with a classic shortboard rocker, fine-tuned with low foiled flyers and channels. Harley loved the feel in the pocket and the snap off the top—but across flatter sections, it left him wanting more. They switched to Billy's proven BT Twin Fin rocker for better flow, squared up the rails from the sting style flyer to maximize release. After rounds of testing and fine-tuning, the result is a full range of fishtail flyer six-plug boards from 5'10" to 7'2". Fast, loose, drivey—and designed to fly through flat sections without losing a beat.
Specs: Wide nose with clean outline, unique sting-style flyer to a small deep fish tail, flat entry with Billy's signature rail relief flowing into double concave, and a spiced up version of Billy's trusted BT twin rocker—making it the fastest board in the lineup. Available in 5'10" to 7'2" (32L-50L).
Surf Tips
How to Surf Better Part 6 of 9: Choosing the Right Board
Written by Matt Rode (Surfline's head of Maps to Nowhere series)
Buying your first surfboard—or any new board, for that matter—is an exciting experience. But it can also be confusing, since there are so many different options out there. Not only are there dozens of different worldwide surf brands (and thousands of local shapers), but there are also a number of different types of boards, ranging from longboards and funboards to shortboards, hybrids, retros, and specialty boards such as big wave guns and logs.
This comprehensive guide breaks down every major board category to help you find your perfect match:
Longboards – Best for tiny waves, beginners, plus-sized surfers, and anyone who just wants to cruise. Over 9 feet long with 90+ liters of volume, easy to paddle and balance.
Funboards/Mid-Lengths – Best for beginners, throwbacks, and anyone looking for an alternative to modern shortboards. Typically 7'0" to 9'0" with increased volume and wider noses.
Modern Shortboards – Best for intermediate to expert surfers focused on progressive, high-performance wave riding. Defined by pulled-in nose, low volume, and thruster or quad fin setups.
Retro Shortboards – Best for anyone looking for an alternative to modern boards that emphasizes trim and fun. Fuller templates with more volume and older fin setups like single fins, 2+1s, twins, and Bonzers.
Hybrids – Best for intermediate+ surfers looking to add speed to their high-performance boards. Flatter, wider, shorter—great for smaller, weaker waves.
Big Wave Guns – Best for anyone who wants to charge. Longer than 8'6" with more rocker, pulled-in tails, and designed to paddle into huge waves moving much faster than normal.
🎄 Christmas Gift Ideas 🎄
Perfect gifts for the surfer in your life
JPN Wetsuit Longsleeve
JPN Wetsuit Vest
📸 December Customer Gallery
Join 50+ customers who shared their stoke with us this month!
Thank you for choosing Hawaiian South Shore! 🌊 We truly appreciate your support and trust in us for all your surfing needs. Whether it's finding the perfect board, upgrading your gear, or simply being part of our ohana, your loyalty means the world to us. Mahalo for riding this journey with us — we couldn't do it without you! 🤙
Want to be featured in next month's gallery? Tag us @hwnsouthshore on your next surf adventure!