70th Anniversary Year Closing Paddle Out
By Brianna Johnson
Honoring 70 Years: A Paddle Out of Gratitude and Aloha
2025 marked an incredible milestone — 70 years of Waikīkī Beach Services. Looking back over the years, it has been more than just surf lessons, canoe rides, and hosting visitors from around the world. We hold memories close to our hearts of Beachboys past and present, and celebrate the community and our connection to the ocean. To reflect on the year, close it out, and welcome a new year, we honor this legacy. We gathered our team for a special paddle out ceremony, a meaningful tradition deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi that reflects respect, gratitude, and remembrance.
A paddle out is more than a gathering on the water. It is a way to come together as a community, to honor those who came before us, acknowledge those who walk alongside us today, and recognize the generations who will carry this legacy forward. It is a moment of unity — where land, sea, and people meet with intention.
For our 70th anniversary paddle out, our crew prepared with care and purpose. The canoe was adorned with kī (ti) leaves, symbolizing protection and good fortune, and decorated with lei that represented love, respect, and connection. We offered a pūʻolo — a kī leaf bundle filled with kalo and other offerings, prepared with gratitude and intention — as a gesture of giving back to the ocean and Beachboys who have come before us and given so much to us.
As we paddled out together, the ocean was calm and welcoming. Once gathered, we shared a moment of reflection before releasing orchid and crown flowers into the water. Each flower carried meaning: gratitude for the past, appreciation for the present, and hope for the future. Watching them drift across the surface served as a reminder that while time moves forward, our roots and values remain deeply anchored.
This paddle out was not just a celebration of years, but of people as well. We honored everyone who has been part of this journey — the Beachboys and Beachgirls who helped build the foundation: Caroline Granelli, Splash Lyons, Alex Apo, Kimo Makua, Ted Bush, and now Traci Bush, who carries this legacy forward. We also honor our present Beachboys who continue to show up every day, and those who will one day carry this legacy forward. It was a powerful reminder that our story is collective, shaped by every individual who has given their time, energy, and aloha.
As we reflect on 70 years, we do so with deep gratitude and humility. Mahalo nui loa to everyone who has been a part of this journey — past, present, and future. This paddle out was not just a celebration of history, but a commitment to continue honoring the ocean, our community, and the values that connect us all.