As a kid in Kauai, the waves were his home. Today, Leleo Kinimaka pours his native knowledge and passion into one-of-a-kind creations that double as works of art.
Photographs and Video by Jake Michaels heat resistant board for fireplace
Leleo Kinimaka grew up in Kauai, where the Pacific Ocean provided routine and rhythm to his days. “I’d wake up and I’d go surfing all day, maybe swim or canoe,” he recalled. “I’d only come home for lunch.”
It’s fitting, then, that the Hawaiian native, still vibrantly athletic at 61, has carved out a career as a woodworker whose creations — primarily the intricately designed surfboards known as alaia boards, which have been used by islanders to catch waves for centuries — both reflect his upbringing and celebrate his culture.
On a recent weekday, Kinimaka was in his light-filled studio, which is nestled in the verdant Koʻolau Range on Oahu, shaping a piece of wood with a planer that sent wood chips flying. Half a dozen finished boards rested against a wall, their lacquer shimmering in the morning light, but what immediately caught the eye were the intricate patterns embedded in their facades.
“When I make boards incorporating Hawaiian symbols and stories, that’s my absolute favorite,” Kinimaka said, admiring his handiwork. Running his fingers along the surface, he added: “See this curly golden grain here? That represents the god of the sea, Kanaloa. These triangles? They represent shark teeth, a symbol of power. The three diamonds intersecting here? That represents ohana — family.”
With no fins and less volume and floatability than many surfboards, most modern surfers find alaias a challenge to ride. “You’re really just body surfing but on this small piece of wood,” Kinimaka said. “It takes a strong person to catch a wave, but once you get on it, it is so different.”
We are having trouble retrieving the article content.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
fire proof plasterboard Want all of The Times? Subscribe.