For Willy Keokalani Shim, the ocean has always been home.
Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Willy has spent his life riding the waves and teaching people of all ages to surf, from keiki as young as three to adults in their eighties.
Surfing has always been more than a sport for Willy. It is a way to connect with the ocean, share Hawaiian culture and pass along the values he learned growing up in Hawaiʻi: respect, awareness, aloha and a deep connection to place.
Then, on August 8, 2023, everything changed.
Willy lost his home and surf school on Front Street in the Lahaina fires. Like so many in the community, he was forced to leave with little more than what he could carry. In the days and weeks that followed, Willy returned to what had always grounded him: the ocean, nature, his community and the spirit of aloha. He realized that what mattered most was not what had been lost, but what could still be shared.
That realization became the beginning of Imua Maui Nei.
Willy’s name is Keokalani, meaning echo of the Heavens in the culture.
A true Hawaiian native, born and raised on these islands, he’s spent a lifetime riding Hawaii’s waves. With over three decades of experience teaching surf lessons, he imparts his passion to students aged 3 to 80, using surfing as a vessel to share the rich tapestry of Hawaiian culture and the spirit of ‘mana.’ His dedication runs so deep, he’d give his very blood for this beloved land.
