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Alex Kinimaka: Hawaiian Waterman
By: Lono G
A blue personal water craft (pwc) comes zipping past my Makai Waverunner pwc. It comes in from the direction of the Kaiwi Channel (Molokai solo) where it escorted some of the best paddlers in the world across the world famous waterway. The participants are paddling in the Kona Brewing Co. Moloka'i Challenge World Championships . The familiar face at the wheel is isle waterman Alex Kinimaka.
The way his uses his watercraft, zipping in the ocean, is like a reflection of his life, moving quickly and helping many do great things along the way!
A Hawaiian waterman, the muscular athlete has been outstanding in the competitive ranks of bodyboarding for the past decade. He is among the first "bodyboarders" to be sponsored by one of the larger surf companies, Hurley.
Who knew that the modest Hawaiian was also an excellent baseball player? "Growing up, I was raised to be more of a 'jock'...my Dad raised me to play baseball and football, and I was very competitive in baseball; I received numerous college scholarships to play baseball, but decided to turn them down to pursue my passion...the ocean" Kinimaka pointed out.
During his early High School years, he took to the ocean and his love for the sport of bodyboarding commenced, he began "tearing it up" on the North Shore and in town. Alex's eyes light up as we talk about second reef Pipeline, Waimea Bay and Tahiti. He has gained respect everywhere he surfs and has risen in becoming one of the world's best body boarders!
"I am thankful for knowing Mike Stewart; I listened and learned a lot about life!" (The only remnant of baseball is the Hurley baseball caps he always seems to wear.)
At this point in his life, he decided to travel the world, and had the
opportunity to meet and learn from many people around the world, while representing Hawaii at the World Body boarding Championship traveling to Australia, South America, Europe and Tahiti.
Upon his return from the World Championships, he decided to
turn professional and fulfilled his dream to "see the world for free" as he did not want to waste his high school coaches' time and energy as they urged him to go to college. "I learned a lot about being on tour, met many people in the sport and other enthusiasts who continue to be in my life. I am totally grateful for what my Dad did for me, and also for my family's support," he added.
After 10 years as a professional bodyboarder, his thoughts turned away from it. Still after a great career being a professional athlete, Kinimaka felt his life was still not Pono (right). He states “ I felt lost and got caught up in a negative lifestyle, that's why it is so important for me to do Free Hi, something that makes life worth living! It's great to be a part of something that will be greater than just you.
In recent years Kinimaka turned to paddling, canoe surfing, long boarding, diving, fishing and has become considered a true Hawaiian waterman. His listening and learning to Water safety expert, and Hollywood stunt director Brian Keaulana and Lifeguard, expert paddler Mel Pu'u has paid off in multitudes. He and also wants to spend serious time with his uncle, the legendary Titus Kinimaka, to evolve as a big wave rider and complete waterman.
He has taken a hiatus this season to work on Free Hi. From his surfing days, he now is strengthing himself to being a well developed and complete waterman/artist/businessman. Learning Hawaiian culture threw “ma ka hana ka ‘ike” (In working one learns) he is developing Free Hi, to showcase our (Hawaii's) natural talents and beauty. The No'eau.
"No'eau" is defined as clever, skillful, dexterous, wise, artistic, talented, expert or technical...and Kinimaka is turning his creative side of himself to now become a film maker to embrace "Noeau"...he is filming, editing, directing and is even doing the interviewing. He truly lives by the
word Noeau!
His concept of Free-Hi is to inspire or be inspired by what only takes your free will to do which can mean anything or anyone(ex: teacher, student, parent, trash man, engineer, musician, watermen, etc…) it doesn't matter everyone and thing has a place in life a modern version of an Ahupua'a (a land division in old Hawaii, from Mauka (towards the mountain) to Makai (towards the sea) where its inhabitants co-existed, supplying one anothers needs. He explains, “ the fisherman caught the fish, the farmers grew the kalo, and everyone shared in this community. All of the keiki (children) were taught by its people, the concept of: It takes a village to teach a child! This new company has a primary objective to uplift local businesses and organizations by working "lokahi" (together)...which Alex explains is a special feeling of island ohana elevating each other.
This film, with the same concept in mind, is an outlet to display his thinking and feelings from his heart, as the film will depict the “Noeau” of talented water people sharing their "mana'o" (thoughts) or what they believe makes them successful.
"My definition of success," Kinimaka says is to be able to help people in Free Hi to get to their next level...by utilizing my own contacts and letting them know of this talented person or another. It's a complex, yet, simple idea. If we all did this, everyone would be successful in their own ohana and life!" I cannot see myself being successful unless everyone around me can be at that level too.
People have guided Kinimaka in his life's journey, and he works to help others in the same way.
He especially thanks Jacques Cousteau, Titus Kinimaka, Mike Stewart, Brian Keaulana, Nainoa Thompson, Terry Ahue and Mel Pu'u for inspiring along with his friends and family and others who have guided and continue to guide him in his life.
To learn more about Free-HI log on to: www.free-hi.com