Ted Bush, Owner
Ted “Teddy” Bush was born in Kapahulu and raised in Waikiki from the age of 5. Teddy’s grandfather, Kim Wai, was one of the original members of the Hui Nalu Surf Club, a group of watermen based at the Moana Hotel, who excelled at swimming, surfing and kanikapila (i.e. informal jam sessions). The Surf Club was a forerunner to the group of Waikiki watermen who would eventually be known as simply, the Waikiki Beachboys.
While growing up, surfing became a large party of Teddy’s life—finding any excuse to head to the beach, he spent much of his free time learning the art of surfing the waves and reading the water from the Waikiki Beachboys.
Teddy went on to attend UCLA, leaving behind Waikiki and the surf he loved so much. The time spent away from his beloved Waikiki was too much, and after a year in L.A., Teddy returned home to Hawaii where he began working with Waikiki Beach Services. Under the tutelage of master canoe steersman, Alex Apo, Teddy became the youngest person to qualify for and earn the rank of 1st Canoe Captain. Teddy then went on to take over Waikiki Beach Services and continues to run it to this day–the longest running beach service and surf school in Waikiki.
The canoe and canoe steering is Teddy’s passion, he has spent numerous hours in the canoe honing his skills. Between himself, and a few other dedicated, canoe-loving Beachboys, they founded the “Waikiki Beachboys Canoe Club”—a non-profit canoe racing team that participates in the sprint and long distance canoe races around and between the islands. Teddy and his teammates were able to fund the canoe club thru the generous donation of all the friends they had made while working on the beach.
Teddy has been working on Waikiki Beach now for over 50 years and continues his stewardship and conservatorship of Waikiki Beach by training new generations of Beachboys on the arts of surfing and canoe steering. He sits on ad-hoc committees overseeing canoe surfing and surfing regulations related to Waikiki Beach and is a board member on the Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District. Teddy has also been the catalyst to creating the annual May Day Waikiki event, an event which honors the Waikiki Beachboys and their numerous contributions towards making Waikiki the tourism destination that it is today and continues to be.
Our Staff
Traci has been officially working with Waikiki Beach Services since 2008; growing up, she spent most of her childhood down at Waikiki beach with her father, hanging out with the Waikiki Beachboys. Some of her earliest memories are of being on the outrigger canoe, surfing the waves with her father. Traci is passionate about the history and background of Waikiki and the Waikiki Beachboys. She, along with her father, helped to create the annual May Day Waikiki event which honors Waikiki Beachboys past and present. She is currently working on the design of a Waikiki Memorial Wall; the Wall will contain the names of all the Beachboys laid to rest in Waikiki, as well as those individuals who choose to have their ashes scattered with Waikiki Beach Services in our burial-at-sea service. On her off time, Traci loves to paddle with the Waikiki Beachboys Canoe Club.
Lauren has been working for WBS since 2010, first as a store manager at our Waikiki Beachboy Stores, then as the senior buyer for the entire company. Lauren is now the key member in leading our brand strategy and head graphic designer. Lauren is an avid surfer and water woman and is passionate about keeping our oceans and reefs clean. She donates her time to Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and continues to educate our company on ways to keep green.
Miwa has been our “boots-on-the-ground” for many years, leading the charge on the marketing & public relations for Waikiki Beach Services. She also handles our client and guest requests personally and is most likely who you will speak to if you call or email us! Miwa is a native Japanese speaker and plays an integral role in working with our Japanese markets and clients. She has a strong background in sales and marketing that are a tremendous asset to the company.
Mike is a certified surf instructor and second canoe captain; he has been teaching surf lessons in Waikiki for over two decades, and is one of the most experienced and professional watermen in Waikiki. Mike has been managing our beach services since 2007; in 2014 he was promoted to the overall general manager of our largest endeavor: the beach & pool services at the Sheraton Waikiki. At times, Mike manages a crew of over 40 employees, which keeps him very busy! Mike and his gang are also responsible for coordinating and teaching surf lessons for our Make-A-Wish children–Mike and his crew have inspired and touched the lives of so many children and their families thru their surf lessons conducted with true aloha spirit.
Chuck has been an institution at the Royal Hawaiian pool and beach for the last 20 years–he is by far, the most complemented and asked for employee at WBS. His natural, easy-going attitude and ability to make everyone feel like a friend is why so many guests return year after year to our Royal Hawaiian location. Chuck also holds his second captain canoe license and was an avid paddler for the Waikiki Beachboys Canoe Club in his youth.
These passionate and talented folks make up the beachboys and girls of Waikiki Beach Services. They handle everything from the daily operations, reservations and surf lessons. They are the true backbone of the company!