We give Maui’s keiki the opportunity to learn to surf in a safe and supportive environment.
Out on the water, they learn more than how to catch a wave. They learn patience, balance, awareness and perseverance, while experiencing the confidence that comes from trying something new and getting back up when you fall.
Keiki learn how to read the water, stay safe in the ocean and understand the importance of caring for the kai and the ʻāina around them.
In Hawaiʻi, our relationship with the ocean runs deep. It connects us to place, culture and one another.
The relationships built around the water can reach far beyond the beach.
Through mentors, volunteers and community partners, we bring keiki and ʻohana together to learn, share experiences and build a stronger sense of belonging.
We believe strong relationships and a sense of belonging are an important part of building resilience.
Imua Maui Nei began with a focus on Lahaina’s children and youth following the August 8, 2023 fires.
Today, we are creating opportunities for keiki across Maui to experience the ocean, build confidence and strengthen their connection to their home and community.
We believe every keiki deserves opportunities to learn, to belong and to discover what they can do.
In Hawaiʻi, the ocean is more than a place to surf. The kai is part of who we are and how we connect to our ʻāina, our culture and one another.
Surfing asks keiki to be present. To pay attention. To respect the power of the ocean. To find their balance, try again when they fall and trust themselves enough to keep going.
For Imua Maui Nei, surfing is a pathway to connection, confidence, healing and resilience.
The goal isn’t simply to teach keiki how to surf. It’s to give them an experience that can stay with them long after they leave the water. The impact is for a lifetime.
Rather than walk away from Lahaina, Willy turned his attention toward Maui’s keiki.
He saw an opportunity to give children a safe place to reconnect with the ocean, spend time with caring mentors, learn about Hawaiian culture and experience the confidence that comes from being in the water.
Imua Maui Nei grew from that belief.
Today, Willy and a growing community of supporters are creating no-cost opportunities for Maui’s keiki to surf, learn, connect and move forward.
For Willy, the work is personal.
It is about giving back to the place that raised him, caring for the next generation and helping keiki discover the same connection to the ocean that has shaped his life.