Have you ever looked at a picture of someone and asked yourself, “I wonder where she comes from?” I’ve been working in the surf industry for almost 20 years. I began surfing when I was just eight and after a fairly successful career of competing and representing Rip Curl, I started working in the industry. From judging on the World Tour to coaching and then into a world of sales and marketing I’ve worked in multiple regions around the world and more recently as a team manager for some of the worlds best female surfers.
Yet one thing that continues to question me or I guess what I wish to see more of is true stories about “the girl in the picture.” So many girls believe the brands of today are only sponsoring girls who look good in a bikini. And even though there’s a degree of truth in that, there are also some amazing girls who represent brands and never get a chance to share their surfing or life story. Why is this the status quo?
Why don’t brands of today tell stories about these girls? Are they only being used to get that perfect image to sell a product? In a time where young girls are pressured to have a perfect body and be popular amongst others, it would be great to let young girls know more about these women and how they’ve succeeded.
Graceful surf speed blur – @maineikinimaka in Bali | @roxy | Photo Cait Miers @caitmiersphotography
So today I’d like to introduce you all to a young Hawaiian lady by the name of Mainei Kinimaka. I gave Mainei her first contract with Roxy, and not because she was pretty or because of her bikini body. I sponsored her because she was the first teenager I had met in a long time who didn’t have her eyes glued to Instagram. She was a straight-A student with plans of finishing her studies before traveling full time on the WQS, and most of all, she truly loved surfing. Mainei Kinimaka is one of the most beautiful surfers you will ever meet as well as being a great role model and inspiration for the youth of today.
Mainei grew up on the east coast of Kauai in the Hawaiian homestead of Anahola. At just four years old, she learned to surf with her father Titus Kinimaka and her sister Maluhia. The girls grew up the best of friends and it was important they were in love with the ocean because there really isn’t much else to do in Kauai. To top it off, when your father is Hawaiian surfing royalty, it simply just makes sense, right?
Dad and daughter – Titus and Mainei | Photo Ryan Heywood @ryanheywood
Can you tell us the full name and meaning of your name?
My full first name is Maineialoha. It comes from my grandfatherʻs generation and it was a term used to describe the pleasant variable winds. It was also the name of a song that my grandfather used to sing. Essentially, it means “gentle breeze of love”.
Is being Hawaiian important to you?
Being a Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiian, is something I’m very proud of. I love my culture, my home, and my family more than anything. Surfing is a major way I connect with my heritage, but for me, every moment spent in nature on Kaua’i is an opportunity to learn, connect and reflect on my part as a Kanaka. I’m extremely grateful to be able to travel the world for surfing, and I hope to be a good representative of Native Hawaiians and a positive example for Hawaiian keiki. I’m always looking to learn more about my culture, and I’m currently in college working towards achieving my major in Hawaiian Language.
How does your family keep Hawaiian culture alive?
My family keeps our culture alive by being in the ocean. Surfing, swimming, paddling canoe, and fishing are just a few. I have 16 aunts and uncles, and they each have their own ways of perpetuating our heritage. For example, my aunties, Kapu and Keala, are both masters of Hula. They pass their knowledge on through their many students throughout the years.
What was it like to grow up surfing in Kauai?
Growing up on Kaua’i as a surfer was amazing. The best part was going out and knowing everyone in the lineup. Our communities are really tight, and the surfing community even more. On Kaua’i, it’s a lot different than the north shore of O’ahu. Not only is our population a lot smaller, but also people like my dad and uncles did a lot to keep cameras and crowds off of our beaches and surf spots. Now it’s starting to change a lot with social media, people posting photos of the non-typical tourist locations, or people romanticizing it as a place to go on a “spiritual journey,” but I can only hope that Kauai will never become like the north shore of O’ahu in the wintertime. Kauai is a very special place, and I hope that people will respect it and it’s people for as long as possible.
What’s something you wish to tell the youth of today through your life experiences so far?
Something I’d like to express to the youth of today through my life experiences so far would be to never do just the minimum, and not to keep all your eggs in one basket. Throughout my life, my mom always pushed me to do more, even when I thought I couldn’t or didn’t want to. I went to full-time public school while traveling internationally every month for surfing, took all the most challenging courses available, and participated in extracurriculars. It was hard to balance it all but it was definitely doable. It showed me how much I could handle and gave me confidence. I think this is really important for kids who surf to learn because you need to know you’re capable of more in life than just surfing, in case somewhere down the road it doesn’t work out for you. You always need a plan B, and having an education is really, really important.
