Surfing lost one of its most its most influential surfers on Saturday, November 2, 2013 when Hawaiian legend Buttons Kaluhiokalani died in California after a long battle with lung cancer, according to the blog on the Buttons Surf School. He was 55.
Buttons Kaluhiokalani was a former Hawaiian Pro Surfer and is well known for his radical and stylish surfing. In 1973, at the age of 13, Buttons traveled to the US Championships in Malibu, California, as an amateur, where he placed second. Seven years later, Buttons won the Sunkist Open at Malibu. . . During the 70′s Buttons really perfected the progressive style of surfing he is so well known for. Uncle Eddie Rothman calls him “the Innovator of Modern Day Surfing.” Buttons was the first to perform a carving 360 on film. A true Style Master, Buttons is renowned for his pocket surfing, switch foot and skateboard inspired maneuvers.
Our thoughts are with the Kaluhlokalani family.
[Link: Buttons Surf School & Surfer Magazine]
On behalf of the Willis Brothers and their families, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to ka ohana Kaluhiokalani.
The surfing community will truly miss him. He was a great friend and brother.
We will see you at the paddle out! Love and Respect God, Milton Bradley Willis, Michael Clebert Willis, wbsurfing.com
Montgomery “Buttons” Kaluhiokalani March 30, 1959 — November 2, 2013. Malibu, Surfrider beach paddle out
In honor and with big love and respect an official ceremony and paddle out was held for legendary, truly iconic surfer, Buttons Kaluhiokalani.Kaluhiokalani a Hawaiian native son was known and respected world wide in the surfing community for his “supernatural” surfing skills
and ability. In addition to his surfing prowess, a flamboyant
personality, chiseled physique and rouged good looks caused him to stand out like no other. Buttons personal life was a roller coaster of highs and lows that he not only survived but he later overcame and flourished.
Buttons passing is the passing of one of surfings all time greatest. He will be deeply missed and always remembered for his passion, love and aloha. The following is a true eyewitness account of the November 9th 2013 paddle out for Buttons Kaluhiokalani at Malibu Surfrider Beach
in Los Angles County, California.
Milton Willis and I, Michael Willis – the Willis brothers arrived at Malibu Surfrider Beach for Buttons paddle out slightly after sunrise. We weren’t the first though, someone before us had taken chalk and written, “We love you Buttons” and drew a big heart on the walkway. In chalk i added “Ua
mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono.” The sky was clear the temp warm and the air electric.
Paying deep respect, amongst the first to arrive was Alan Sarlo, King of Malibu, who himself is a notable surfer with strong Hawaiian and California roots. Sarlo, one of the Bu’s best surfers ever, joined Milton and I slightly up the beach where we were playing tribal drum beats for Buttons. Milton had brought a conch shell, which Alan picked up raised his head to the clouds and sounded off for Buttons.
Moments later, as if on queue, people began showing up and the official ceremony was about to begin. Beautiful women and rough looking, well tanned, muscled and tattooed men abounded. Cameras were everywhere, it
could have been a scene in a James Bond movie but it wasn’t, it was Buttons posse coming to pay honor and respect. Though it felt surreal it was very real.
Cory Whitlock, from the Whitlock surfing family demonstrated his love and respect for Buttons by having “Love like Buttons” t-shirts printed up. Bless the Whitlocks for demonstrating some Californians have aloha.
Proceeds from donations went to help Buttons family.
Troy, from Kaau Crater Boys, along with his daughter provided the opening music. The crowd went completely silent when they sang Israel Kamakawiwaole’s
“Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Buttons had actually
played harmonica with the Kaau Crater Boys. Somehow i felt Buttons looking down soaking in the California love. Chicken skin.
As a perfect background, a phalanx of surfboards lined the famous Malibu wall. Included were actual surfboards Buttons had surfed. There were also surfboards decades old that featured Buttons label. Included in the line up were true Willis Brothers surfboards Phazer bottom big
wave guns built in Hawaii. There was even a foam blank which (i presume) was going to be shaped for Buttons.
Noble Kaluhiokalani, Buttons brother of the same mother was in attendance and spoke of his brother. He related about how as a youth certain bad boys would pick on Buttons but Buttons shrugged it of. Buttons was about love, BIG LOVE. Noble related how Buttons encouraged everyone, “hate no one, love all.”
Sumo, a childhood friend of Buttons and now a pastor in
California, spoke of how as keikis, Jr. Moapono would bully him. Moapono ruled Velzyland and would often send Sumo to the beach. It was Buttons, friend to all, who befriended Sumo and encouraged him to stay positive. Sumo, with a wry smile and distant gleam in his eyes, spoke of
going to the “dark side” with Buttons. All said and done Buttons had turned his life around and by all means finally becoming responsible and successful operating a surf school on the north shore of Oahu under his own name.
Ben Aipa, true Hawaiian surfing living legend, was represented by his son Duke. It turns out Buttons and another great surfer Mark Lydell were his baby sitters growing up! It was a blessing to see the Aipa family represented, again conformation of Big Love and respect from surfing’s revered who’s who. Buttons legacy shall live forever.
Strongmen stood with reverent looks on their faces. Women and men were crying. The crowd of between 500 and 1000 or more was unified not by personal religion or credo but rather true and unconditional Big Love. Buttons wife Hiriata stood bravely as did his lovely daughter Nawaii. Close by a beautiful– beautiful young woman with a white burka covering her hair let out a steady stream of spirit filled
tears. She was illuminate.
Sumo — a hefty Polynesian man with long hair and beard gave instructions for the paddle out. He implored us to have a vision of Buttons in our minds and Big Love in our hearts and spirit. Family, and those closest to Buttons, would be in the inner circle and the rest would form an outer circle around them. Truth be told, even the outer circle was in the inner circle! An important human event and noted
history was about to crystallize.
One may have thought most of the paddlers would be mostly surfers, however Buttons world was most expansive. Artists, musicians, models, businessmen, actors, along with prominent surfers, mothers, fathers and whole families grabbed their surfboards and paddled out. Famed Dog
Town skater Jay Adems and his girlfriend were amongst the first to paddle out. Popular Los Angeles musician Billy Wilson showed up as did famed surfboard shaper Jeff Ho, Big Love. And the beautiful young woman wearing the white scarf on her head — she paddled out wearing baggy blue trunks and a t-shirt and yes the white scarf!
Milton and I waited until the majority of paddlers had positioned themselves before entering the ocean to join them. We paddled in unison, both holding flowers soon to be tossed in honor, respect and Big Love. We arrived to perhaps the middle of the outside circle. Noting that the other side of the circle seemed to need shoring up I
began paddling. By the time i was half way there the other side had filled in. Though perhaps the furthest from the inner circle something told me that i was right were i was supposed to be. Buttons perhaps?
Sumo led the charge, flowers were being tossed, ocean water reverently splashed and loud shouts for Buttons filled the air. Adding to the melee, an official L.A. county lifeguard boat soon appeared firing a water cannon and
sounding a siren. On board were two of Malibu’s top lifeguards along with Noble Kaluhiokalani and six or seven very beautiful women.
As fate would have it, the lifeguard boat parked less than 10 feet of where i was sitting. The steady stream of water enveloped me and with the sun at just the right angle a rainbow appeared. As if possessed by the holy spirit, a fully clothed Noble Kaluhikalani dove head first from the boat into the chilly waters. A gracious man on a kayak close by began unstraping and offered his kayak to Noble. Noble turned to me and commanded — take me to the center.
Somehow i felt Buttons spirit working together with God, orchestrating the whole event. With honor and humble pride i shouted “Noble coming inner circle!” Moments later, task completed, i returned to my original position. The ladies on the boat were blowing kisses to the crowd. I reached out
and caught one, said a prayer and released it. Shortly after the royal send off, surfers began making their way to the surf break to catch a wave for Buttons.
Milton, myself, Jeff Ho and Sumo were amongst the last to leave. Upon reaching the lineup i saw Hiriata on a very large surfboard. The waves were between six inches and perhaps two feet high. Hiriata seemed to have a little difficulty finding the right wave to surf. A small wave came by and despite a gentle push from behind by another surfer, she had a wipe out. Hiriata got back on her surfboard just in time to catch the following wave.
Most of the waves ridden were surfed by 5 or more surfers, this one had only one other surfer and it was Milton! With deep respect and love Milton rode in watching Hiriata make it safely back to the shore. Again i suspected Buttons somehow had a hand in it, God did for sure. They say behind every good man is a great woman, Hiriata is
credited with being the great woman behind Buttons. God bless Hiriata.
The good book tells us all is vanity, and for the most part this is true. i say for the most part because all is vanity except love. True love is unconditional, ever constant and perfect.
God made the world we live in, God made the lives we live. Buttons legacy will go on, but perhaps years from now he will be remembered less for his surfing exploits and more for being a great surfer who said, “Hate no one, love all.”
Big Love.
Blessings and Respect,
Michael Clebert Willis
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