Kalepa surfs into Hall of Fame

Archie Kalepa has lived a life full of adventure and accomplishment. And, as with anyone who has spent time on the water, there’s aways a story. Always a good one.

There’s becoming the first to cross the Kaiwi Channel from Molokai to Oahu on a stand-up paddleboard.

There’s making two voyages with the venerable sailing canoe Hokule‘a.

There’s holding the wood surfboard Duke Kahanamoku first carved when introducing surfing to Australia in 1915.

Archie Kalepa was
the first person to
cross the Kaiwi
Channel on a stand-
up paddleboard

Kalepa, 49, will add another honor to his life’s ocean when he’s inducted into the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame on Thursday. He is joined by big-wave surfer and oceanographer Ricky Grigg; the late Michael Tongg, Kalepa’s crew mate on Hokule‘a; and surfing great Brian Keaulana, who co-founded the C4Waterman ocean lifestyle retail store along with Kalepa, Todd Bradley and Dave Parmenter.

It is the third Hall of Fame class, which also will recognize Hawaiian surfing alii: Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, Prince David Kawananakoa, Prince Edward Keliiahonui and Princess Kaiulani.

Kalepa, a longtime lifeguard/ocean safety captain on Maui, said he was so honored to be selected that he didn’t tell anyone except his wife Alicia for nearly a month.

"I didn’t believe it could happen to me," he said. "To be included with Duke Kahanamoku … I’m so honored. I kept it quiet until a few weeks ago.

"And to be inducted with my good friends Brian and Mike makes it very, very special. This is like the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame, but it’s for those who have the same passion and love for the ocean."

Kalepa admits to having 10-12 surfboards in his garage — he won’t say how many others are at friends’ houses — and is currently hooked on 8-foot-6 standup paddleboards shaped by Parmenter.

Kalepa said no one thought crossing the Kaiwi Channel on a SUP was possible when he set out to do it in 2004.

"And now look, there was nearly 300 paddlers who did it the last race," he said. "I see SUP as a continuation of what Duke Kahanamoku did when bringing surfing to the world. He wanted to share something that was fun and could be enjoyed by many.

"It’s nice to see young and old enjoying the ocean (on a SUP). A SUP is just one more toy or tool you have in the sandbox."

Kalepa, a longtime paddler, canoe surfer and big-wave rider, has been a lifeguard since he was 18. His wish is for lifeguards to be held in higher regard in Hawaii because, he said, they are revered in so many other places, such as Australia.

He and Keaulana, another ocean-safety expert, had a chicken-skin moment when traveling Down Under a few years ago.

"We went to the surf club where Duke had made the first board in Australia," Kalepa said. "They took it out of the case and let us hold it. That was very special for us."