What’s a non-negotiable in your daily routine?
Prayer, faith, Bible study, TM, health practices, giving and giving back….and loving my wife and family.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received in business?
“You’re the best auctioneer…in Hawai‘i….and the world.”
What’s one decision that completely changed the course of your career?
Saying “YES!” to the invitation/opportunity to be an auctioneer when asked back in 1984.
Where’s your “secret spot” to disconnect and reset?”
After 60 years of surfing, I have been blessed by my obsessive curiosity and commitment to fun, to find and experience numerous “secret spots” and even “semi-secret spots in plain view” that almost seem to be angelically protected for me, often surfing them with few or no one else out! Total freedom, fun, “R&R!”
What chance encounter changed your life forever?
When I first laid eyes on and met my dear wife for life, Miho, in church one glorious day back in ’99. Paradoxically, this “overnight success/chance encounter” essentially matched my heart’s desire and matched my imagination, too!
What’s your side hustle or creative outlet? How did you first get into it? Was it intentional or accidental?
First introduced to surfing as a child by my genius, creative mother, who took us traveling from land-locked NJ to the shores of San Diego, and then I caught my first waves and became tied-at-the-hip to it forever, till this very day!
Tell us a quick story that captures what this hobby/side gig means to you.
Means so much to me that it’s not only a hobby and side gig, I made my living partially in and out of it. But it’s always been so much more…a passion, obsession, healthy addiction, adventure, inspiration to travel, grow, learn. It means the world to me, quite literally the most glorious experience on this blue planet, this side of Heaven!
What is it that you created that you are most proud of?
I am the founder of the world’s best, original surf report system, Surf News Network. It is now and still the longest-running such system, #1 rated in Hawai‘i. And proud to find my purrfect successor to replace me, my friend “GQ” who is the Chairman of The Surfboard and still triumphing for SNN, celebrating nearly half a century of service, fun, and endurance!
