Nelson Ahina

Surfing has long been synonymous with “Hawaii” since the 1920s. As surfing blossomed, so did some of Hawaii’s greatest ambassadors. Legends such as Duke Kahanamoku, Eddie Aikau, and Buffalo Keaulana promoted surfing on a global level. And while the surfing industry continued to grow and develop many lost sight of the culture and the value that can be witnessed in the passion of a few surfers. In the early years of this new millennium, we see a handful of Native Hawaiians who are progressive in pushing the sport forward, but are doing so with their roots firmly planted in their culture. With strong ties to his heritage, Nelson Ahina, is not only making his mark in Hawaiian history as a Native Hawaiian surfer but he is doing so with the true spirit of aloha.

Raised in Kalihi, Nelson quickly found his calling through surfing, “It’s like coming to church. You can come here and just have a good time.”

Having dominated the local amateur longboard scene, at 17 years old,  this state champion has his eyes set on the professional arena. With a clear sense of purpose and new-found support from his sponsors this young Hawaiian is the new face of professional surfing. Hopefully he will garner the global attention his ancestors attained.  He is definitely on the edge.

For more video visit http://SPORTS.pacificnetwork.tv/Surfing/

Megan Abubo Rocks the Surfing World

Professional surfer Megan Abubo still remembers catching her first wave in Waikiki. She moved from Connecticut as a child and not long after became one of the most respectable woman surfers in the world.

Today the 32-year-old continues to shred waters with six Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour wins and a 2001 World Champion runner-up title. Six years later she returned to her homebreak on the North Shore and won the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

As Roxy Quiksilver’s spokesperson for Keep A Breast, Abubo honors her sister a two-time breast cancer survivor. This initiative raises money for breast cancer research through an art auction of decorated breast casts of famous female athletes and artists.

Abubo has even splashed onto the big screen. She surfed as a stunt double in the major motion picture “Blue Crush” and was featured in several magazines that included Rolling Stone and Fitness. Thanks to Betty DePolito always in the know on women in water sports.

For more video, visit the Surf Channel at http://sports.pacificnetwork.tv/Surfing/.

Alyssa S. Navares, PacificNetwork.tv

Students Get Active With YET

When school’s out in Nanakuli, students get active at the Youth Education Town center. It’s a place where dodgeball, dancing, art and music meet providing afterschool activities for these elementary-aged kids.

“We’ve given them a sense of belonging here,” said Program Director Claudia Fernandez. “They can come here to have fun, be safe and get off the streets. (We’ll) teach them resistance skills, like staying away from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.”

This is one of 14 YET programs across the nation that’s sponsored by the National Football League. With a $1 million donation from NFL, the Nanakuli YET program built an all-green facility. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs also provided a grant for the program's activities.

“This building is (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified,” she said. “Everything is on a go-green aspect.”

According to Fernandez, the YET facility is the only building on the West side of O‘ahu that’s LEED certified. It’s constructed with forty-percent recyclable materials and includes waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets and a rain catchment for the Native Hawaiian garden.

For more video, visit the News Channel at http://news.pacificnetwork.tv/NewsDesk/.

Alyssa S. Navares, PacificNetwork.tv