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Raimana VB not under threat, thankfully, but others on Big Island jobless today. Photo: Instagram
Raimana VB not under threat, thankfully, but others on Big Island jobless today. Photo: Instagram

Bloody Friday on Big Island as surf school lottery goes horribly wrong!

“It wasn’t illegal, but it’s not pono."

Now, the adult learner explosion has been bad for many but also good for many. Costco, rinse kit manufacturers and surf schools, to name but three. Now, as the grumpy local knows, there can be such a thing as too much and certain beaches have too much surf schools. Various municipalities, trying to keep order, have turned to a permit solution, wherein operators must apply for official recognition in order to teach the Sport of Kings.

And let us make our way across the Pacific to Hawaii’s Big Island where a novel approach to regulation went horribly awry.

Seventeen hopeful surf school owners had gathered in the Old Kona Airport Pavilion, on Friday, waiting to see if they would receive one of only four permits being offered for the very popular Kalahu’u Bay. The Department of Land and Resources had decided to drop balls in a hopper, bingo style, in order to select the programs allowed to instruct the vulnerable.

The balls were dropped, spun and selected.

One person, Wesley Moore, getting three out of the four slots.

His companies were not created until 2021.

Green Stegehuis, who was born and raised in Kahalu‘u Bay and has been surf instructing for years was not happy, telling Big Island Now, “It wasn’t illegal, but it’s not pono [right]. This is right before the holidays and this is when we get our income. Our entire family is like what now, come Monday?”

Schools which have been operating for decades now shuttered.

Dan Dennison, spokesperson for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources that held the lottery, said it was all fair and square, per the rules, and nothing can be done. If Wesley Moore wanted to be a bro and kick a few of his permits to others, he’s not even allowed as they would go to the next on the waitlist.

Does Wesley Moore sound like a bro name?

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37 Comments
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Hippy

Imagine, surf schools required to have certifications?

They rock up, fu k up everyplace they visit.

Sexy moms wait in cars and drink complicated coffees (only positive cept i like drip coffee)

Multiple “schools” at the same beach.

Enough.

mike m

“It wasn’t illegal, but it’s not porno.”

I thought the article was starting off great.

Capt Sensible

Nothing says your a “cunt”as much as owning a surf school.

Sellme fitzgobbins

Surf schools suck balls

Waterproof Polo

Fuck Hawaii has some horrendous political shit. It seems like local councils here in Australia on roids.

Kama'aina

The lesson here is always blindly trust the government especially when it is a small local government willing to play bingo for citizens livelihoods. Also always vote in your cousin or uncle that has been in office for decades if you are not happy with the way said local government is serving said citizens. Always

Kama'aina

Lesson three is always start a surf school if you didn’t learn anything growing up because you really thought that you were going to be like Ke11y. Or if you are haole and have dreads and a honu tattoo while being a legend.

J H
tim_nelsen

Saving up for X-mas…will bring snow to da islands…also put in my application as a surf influencer to teach The Snort of Kings. Permit me?

https://i.snipboard.io/aTcX…

JohnsKnees

No clue how long this Wesley guy has lived on Hawaii but he calls himself a legend on IG so he 100% is a kook

Sean Connery

Rule 6289- You are automatically stripped of any legend title as soon as you start a surf school.
Rule 6290- Legend status has to be given by somebody other than yourself.

Barrelled

Notice he claims “long-time Kona resident” as opposed to born and raised.

Gadoot

That’s anyone on the big island that’s been there for more than 10 years everyone is “local”

Occ Topus

In his defense, he actually surfs well. I’ve seen him out in the water a few times. Agree that referring to one’s self as “legend” is lame.

ValiantScorn

Almost the perfect feel good story. Less douchebag “surf schools”. Now, put the people that run them thru some kind of “qualification”, and make it a really expensive insurance. Require a 4 week class, and a license.

ValiantScorn

A “fair” is where you go to eat cheese covered pretzels, and take a spin on suicide rides. Everyday life is supposed to be a “fair”.

Barrelled

Wesley Moore certainly doesn’t sound Hawaiian. Pretty lame to issue 75% of the permits to a non-Hawaiian.

J H

John John Florence certainty doesn’t sound (or look Hawaiian) but here we are…

Barrelled

I was replying to Chas asking “Does Wesley Moore sound like a bro name?” Big difference would be that JJF was actually born and raised there.

J H

But has no Hawaiian nor Polynesian blood so…

Barrelled

This is true and correct. Not much Hawaiian blood left anywhere.

Capt Sensible

In deed or Eddie Rothman.

J H

Yes!

Rocks local

Also, after using AI-related barbs to knock on other websites (not unfairly) for months, the biggest news in AI happens over the weekend, in California, and as of yet no attempt to twist the news into a surf-adjacent headline?? Someone must be hitting the turkey a little early.

Fig Jam

Never too early to choke the turkey

JohnsKnees

A guy named Green falling for this, does it get any more ironic

bob

“In The United States those bearing the Stegehuis surname are 28.91% more likely to be registered with the Republican Party than The US average, with 75.68% being registered to vote for the political party.

The amount Stegehuis earn in different countries varies marginally. In United States they earn 22.05% more than the national average, earning $52,664 USD per year and in Canada they earn 24.83% more than the national average, earning $62,020 CAD per year.”

He should be ok then.

Rocks local

Was Hawaiian Airlines somehow involved?

J H

Your boards are less expensive to fly, peasant.

Stick man

Thanks Billy Temper!

J H

And don’t you forget it.

Abscessed Llama

What? Did he create a bunch of companies to push the odds in his favor? Seems mathematically impossible..?

J H

Since when were lotteries (or election results) questionable?

Barrelled

Since 2016, around the same time the courts started being used as a tool for not getting your way. Prob wouldn’t be happening if so many idiots weren’t handing over their money for idiotic pursuits.

J H

The courts are nothing but goverments suing other governments and governments suing businesses.

Tish James in NY just decided to sue Pepsi because their customers are improperly disposing plastic bottles.

NY has lost 10 billionaires recently so now they are trying to chase out profitable businesses as well.

Barrelled

That would certainly be the Trump lover take on it.

J H

Keep fellating your “elected” officials.

It’s working out great.


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