Hawaii Paipo Designs

The HPD Paipo XL was born on the North Shore beaches of Oahu during the early surfing days of the 1960s. And ever since, riders from around the world have sought us out looking for the fastest bodyboard on the planet.
HPD paipos are a modern version of the ancient Hawaiian pai po (or pae po’o) surfboard. Ancient pai pos were smaller than their cousin, the Alaia. Paipos were usually carved from Koa or U’lu wood, and did not feature a skeg. This is how we made our first boards back in the day.

Mark Cunningham on Pipeline, Bodysurfing, and His Heaviest Experiences As a North Shore Lifeguard

"Mark Cunningham, aka "The Human Fish," is hailed as one of the greatest bodysurfers of all time. He grew up in Hawaii, became a lifeguard in the mid-’70s, and for nearly 30 years guarded primarily at Ehukai Beach Park, with a view straight into Pipeline’s barrel. Through the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Cunningham won nearly every bodysurfing event he entered. But, as Cunningham would be the first to tell you, bodysurfing is not about winning or losing."

Larry ‘Aki’ Akiyama Celebration of Life Paddle Out

LARRY ‘AKI’ AKIYAMA Passed away peacefully at home on April 15, 2024 surrounded by his family and friends. He was 78 years old. He is survived by his son Kawika, grandson Kaimana, brother Kerry and sisters Janet and Irene.

Aki, as he was known on the beach, like former beach boy Gilbert Hisatake, was one of the last old time beach boys who grew up under the apprenticeship system playing ukulele, learning to teach surfing, of steering canoe, and captaining catamarans through the surf in Waikiki. Larry Aki Akiyama always let it be known that giving the tourist a good experience at Waikiki was the main goal of every beach boy.

He lamented as times turned the beach boy system into a commercial business factory, so he moved himself down to Kaimana Beach where he became the retired and elder beach boy protecting the tourists, the monk seals, and spreading his aloha.

Ashley Shock knew his power and produced a twenty-four minute video interview of Aki on Youtube titled “Times have Changed” Waikiki Beachboy, “Aki” talks about his life on the beach & Aloha Spirit.

His impact on every one he met was honest and fair. He will be missed.

Thank you to Bill Brooks for the use of his instrumental music on this video.

Aloha Kyle