Hau’oli Lā Hānau Ted “Teddy” Bush
By Brianna Johnson
Today, we celebrate the birthday of Ted “Teddy” Bush, a true Waikīkī waterman whose life and legacy are deeply woven into the sands and seas of this place we call home. Hauʻoli Lā Hānau to a man whose ʻike, aloha, and dedication continue to shape Waikīkī Beach Services today 🤍
Born in Kapahulu and raised in Waikīkī from the age of five, Teddy grew up surrounded by ocean culture. His grandfather, Kim Wai, was one of the original members of the Hui Nalu Surf Club, a legendary group of watermen known for their excellence in swimming, surfing, and kanikapila. Hui Nalu would go on to lay the foundation for what we now know as the Waikīkī Beachboys—a legacy Teddy would one day carry forward.
Surfing quickly became a central part of Teddy’s life. Any chance he had, he was at the beach—learning how to read the ocean, understanding the rhythm of the waves, and gaining knowledge from the Beachboys who came before him. Although Teddy left Hawaiʻi to attend UCLA, the pull of Waikīkī was too strong. After a year in L.A., he returned home, answering the call of the kai and beginning his lifelong work with Waikīkī Beach Services.
Under the guidance of master canoe steersman Alex Apo, Teddy became the youngest person to earn the rank of First Canoe Captain. He later took over Waikīkī Beach Services, continuing its operation as the longest-running beach service and surf school in Waikīkī—now owned and led alongside his daughter, Traci Bush.
Canoe paddling and steering have always been Teddy’s true passion. Through years of dedication, he helped found the Waikīkī Beachboys Canoe Club, a non-profit racing team made possible by the friendships and community built on the beach. For over 50 years, Teddy taught future generations of watermen the skills, discipline, and kuleana that come with life on the ocean.
Though Teddy is now retired from the water, his legacy lives on—in the canoes, in the Beachboys, and in the spirit of Waikīkī itself. The values he spent decades teaching continue to guide the next generation of watermen sharing aloha on these shores. For those looking to learn from a place rooted in history and ʻike, Waikīkī Beach Services remains one of the best surf lessons in Waikīkī.
Mahalo nui loa, Teddy, and hauʻoli lā hānau 🌺
