Hawaii - Waikiki Beach Surfing Instructor - in Honolulu, Hawaii

George 'Poo" Kepo'o, 1934-1989, was one of the original beachboy's 2nd generation. His mother was one of the first to sell flower lei's and to operate a lei stand (Lily's Lei Stand) in Waikiki behind the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. As a young boy, Poo used to shine shoes and play in the shore break in front of the Royal where he would meet movie stars such as Dorthy Lamour, Dorthy Mackaill, Johnny Weismiller and Shirley Temple.

He decided to leave the islands at age 17 where she stowed away on a pineapple freighter. He eventually ended up at Manhattan Beach, where he slept underneath the pier. That's where he met Dale Velzy who offered him a job where he kept shop and ended up shaping and glassing for him. That's where he met Johnny Rice and they had a bunch of good times together running up and down the coast getting into trouble.

Poo was then drafted into the Korean War (1950-1953). He stayed in California and worked for Dale a couple more years where he was featured in Greg Knoll's "Search For Surf" and "Follow the Sun". He returned to the islands in the late fifty's where he was a beachboy for Aloha Beach Service and Leroy Ah Choy Beach Service for 30 years. In 1957, he placed 4th in The 32 mile Catalina Island to Manhattan Beach Pier paddle board race. Poo's son, Jon Kepo'o, started working on the beach at age 13 for Aloha Beach Service, for four years. Jon began teaching surfing at 17 with his Dad for Leroy Ah Choy Beach Service.

Having served as a lifeguard for nine years during Jon's amateur career, in 1992, he placed 2nd in the Hawaii State Championships and 2nd in the U.S. Championships. He began his professional career in 1992 and has ranked in the top 16 for for seven years in A.S.P. and a professional longboarder for nine. He is currently ranked #13 in the Steinlager Pro 2007 H.S.P.

Jon, who is certified as an Instructor, in First Aid, in C.P.R and in Life Saving, has been teaching surfing for more than 20 years at Waikiki Beach. He is currently an independent contractor working out of the Star BeachBoys stand, behind the Duke Kahanamouku statue at the beach.

Through the stand, private surfing lessons are available for $75./hr., semi-private (2 people) for $55./hr. per person, and group lessons for $35./hr per person. Groups are limited to four people. Lessons begin with learning the fundamentals of surfing as well as the importance of safety (lasting about 15 - 20 minutes) before ever entering the water.

Workshops are also available for people who would like to improve their longboarding skills or their Stand Up Paddle Board skills. The stand also offers surfboard rentals, outrigger rides, lounge chairs, umbrellas and body boards.

If you are visiting the Islands and would like to ask questions about surfing or the services Jon (and the stand) offers, don’t hesitate to contact him on his cell phone at (808) 218-1828. Aloha!