Stan Lawrence: A Legacy on the Waves
Table of Contents
- 1. Stan Lawrence: A Legacy on the Waves
- 2. Restoring Hawaii’s Reefs: A Surfer’s Dream
- 3. How does microfragmentation accelerate coral growth and create new surf breaks?
- 4. A Surfer’s Call to Action: Mark Lawrence on Reef Restoration and hawaii’s waves
- 5. What sparked the idea to focus on coral reef restoration, Mark?
- 6. What’s your plan to bring harmony between surfing and reef health?
- 7. You mentioned creating more surf spots. How do healthy reefs benefit the surfing community?
- 8. What are the biggest obstacles you face in this endeavor?
- 9. Do you have a message for readers who want to support your vision?
For over five decades,Stan Lawrence has been a cornerstone of the Big Island surfing community. Nicknamed “Stan the Man,” he’s a legend, known not just for his prowess as a competitive amateur surfer – a title supported by a collection of trophies earned through hard-won victories – but also for his dedication to nurturing the sport’s growth.
He’s spearheaded numerous surfing initiatives, starting with his involvement with Hawaii County Parks and Recreation’s annual 4th of July Drainpipe Classic in Kalapana. This passion ultimately led him to create and organize the Big Island Pro Am Surfing trials, a platform that bestowed upon talented local surfers the prospect to compete in prestigious Triple Crown events on Oahu.
Lawrence’s impact extends beyond the competition arena. He’s a skilled surfboard designer, shaper, and glasser, a testament to his deep understanding of the craft. Together with his wife, Maud, he established Orchid Land Surf Shop, a cornerstone of Hilo’s surfing scene that has thrived for almost 53 years.
For decades, Lawrence has been the voice that has kept surfers informed about the waves. He started sharing his knowledge on KHLO-AM and later transitioned to KWXX-FM and B97/B93, where he continues to provide insightful surf reports from 1984 to this day.
Even today, at the cusp of his 77th birthday, Lawrence remains an active member of the dawn patrol, eagerly greeting the day with a paddle out to catch the first waves at spots like Honolii and other East Hawaii beaches. This dedication reflects his enduring passion for the ocean and the sport that has shaped his life.
From 1972 to 1990, the fiery flow of lava from Kilauea volcano dramatically altered the landscape, engulfing the Kalapana black sand beaches and claiming much of the unique Hawaiian village. Lawrence and fellow surfers made the 45-minute pilgrimage from Hilo to Drainpipe almost daily, persevering despite the changing surroundings. These experiences, along with countless other cherished memories of surf spots from lower Puna, form the heart of Lawrence’s new book, “Kalapana: Reflections of Lost Waves.”
This poignant collection is beautifully illustrated with artwork by Tom Rissacher and Nelson Makua,complemented by numerous photographs captured by local surfers. Chapters weave together stories penned by lawrence and a vibrant ensemble of fellow surfers, including Rissacher, Bob Duerr, Jerry Johnson, Stephen Skipper, Allen Gourley, Henry Hauser, Leigh Sharp, Carl Higgins, Brian Reimer, Ernie Kho, and Mark Dougherty.
“The reason I wrote the book was as it was a huge loss to the community — all of those families who were displaced, many historic areas that were taken,” Lawrence shared with the Tribune-Herald. “losing surf spots, especially losing all of those around Kalapana, is like losing a lifestyle. we lost a lifestyle down there.
“There is a Kalapana community now that is different; it’s not the same.”
Lawrence’s journey began in Santa Monica, California, where he honed his surfing skills on the iconic waves of Malibu. Seeking adventure and the chance to immerse himself fully in the surfing lifestyle, he relocated to Oahu’s North Shore.To finance his ocean pursuits, he juggled three part-time jobs: feeding ponies and shoveling manure at Cannon Pony Farm in Haleiwa, bagging groceries and sweeping floors at Haleiwa Natural Health Food Store, and driving a taxicab three nights a week in Honolulu.
“When I was up on the North Shore, my whole purpose in life was surfing. I started making boards for myself up there,” Lawrence recalled. “My friend Peter Trombly was a board builder, and I’d watch and learn from him. Then, I got my own blank, and I shaped it and glassed it — and it rode pretty darn good. So, I made a few for myself.
“Then, I was on the mainland for a bit, and I took one of my boards to a friend who had a surf shop in the San Fernando Valley, Ernie Tanaka. He was a personal friend, so I said, ‘Ernie, I want you to critique this board.’ And he looked at it and said,‘Ah,this is pretty damn good.’
“That gave me inspiration, because I knew what I was doing and I could make a decent board.”
In 1972,Stan and Maud opened Orchid Land Surf Shop at 832 Kilauea Ave,a venture that has become synonymous with Hilo’s surfing culture. In 1998, they relocated to their current location at 262 Kamehameha Ave.
Today, Lawrence continues to share his passion by selling the surfboards he shapes and glassed himself. Orchid Land surf Shop also showcases custom surfboards by some of Hawaii’s most renowned shapers, alongside a curated selection of body boards, surf apparel, and aloha shirts – perfect for pairing with those board shorts.
Restoring Hawaii’s Reefs: A Surfer’s Dream
For Hawaiian surfer, mark Lawrence, the ocean isn’t just a playground; it’s a lifeline. Witnessing the loss of beloved surf spots like Kalapana, swallowed by lava in 1990, and Pohoiki, devastated by volcanic activity in 2018, ignited a passion within him. Lawrence believes it’s time to take proactive steps, not just mourn the loss. His vision? To rebuild Hawaii’s coral reefs, bringing back vital ecosystems and creating new havens for surfers.
“it’s not about making a lot of money,” Lawrence asserts. ”It’s all about the friends that you meet and the experiences. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Lawrence points to a groundbreaking technique known as microfragmentation, which accelerates coral growth fivefold. “They could monitor the reef.It could be a part of their curriculum,” he suggests, envisioning collaboration with the esteemed marine science program at UH-Hilo.
The benefits, according to Lawrence, extend far beyond providing thrilling waves. “Coral reefs give out more oxygen per cubic inch than trees do, and that’s mitigating global warming. And if you have a reef in the ocean, it’s going to preserve the coastline for shoreline protection, and it’s a habitat for juvenile fish. Another benefit is needed recreation. Every day at Honolii, there’s injuries, there’s arguments and fights because it’s overcrowded. we do really need more surf spots.”
Drawing inspiration from Palm Beach,Australia,where microfragmentation successfully restored a reef,Lawrence explains the process: “You start with a rock foundation and then seed them with the pieces of coral. It’s like seedlings when you’re growing vegetables or whatever.It’s been a breakthrough for coral reef restoration. That’s my next big project. That’s my dream, to build an ocean park, as we lost so much down in Kalapana. The problem with doing it down there is it’s still unstable land. It’s really hard to do a project and throw money into a project that could get covered by lava.”
While Lawrence acknowledges the challenges, particularly navigating bureaucratic hurdles, he remains optimistic. “In Australia, they know the value of surfing.It’s a national sport for Australia. You’d think it would be in Hawaii. Here, getting the permits would be hard. You pretty much need a permit to blow your nose. And that’s one of the biggest problems, all of the permitting. So, what we need are people in government who could try to push this through and facilitate this project. (Former Mayor) Billy Kenoi was behind it, but unfortunately, Billy passed away way too soon.”
Lawrence’s passion for ocean conservation is evident in his recently published book, available at Orchid Land Surf Shop and local bookstores. His story serves as a powerful reminder that protecting our oceans isn’t just a obligation, but an opportunity to create a brighter, more vibrant future.
How does microfragmentation accelerate coral growth and create new surf breaks?
A Surfer’s Call to Action: Mark Lawrence on Reef Restoration and hawaii’s waves
Mark Lawrence, a lifelong surfer and owner of Orchid Land Surf Shop, has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of volcanic activity on Hawaii’s coastlines. the loss of beloved surf spots like Kalapana and Pohoiki has ignited a passion within him to protect and restore Hawaii’s precious coral reefs. In this interview, we delve into Lawrence’s vision for a future where vibrant reefs provide challenging waves and safeguard the beauty of Hawaii’s shores.
What sparked the idea to focus on coral reef restoration, Mark?
“seeing Kalapana swallowed by lava and pohoiki wiped out by volcanic activity really hit home. It made me realize that we can’t just mourn the loss of these incredible surf spots – we need to take action.Reefs are essential to our ecosystem and our way of life. Protecting them is not just an environmental obligation, it’s a way to ensure future generations can experience the magic of Hawaiian waves.”
What’s your plan to bring harmony between surfing and reef health?
“Microfragmentation is a game-changer. It accelerates coral growth fivefold. Imagine building a reef underwater, creating new havens for marine life and generating exciting new surf breaks!
I envision partnering with theUH-Hilo marine science program to monitor the reef growth, making it an educational experience for the community.We need to show people the connection between protecting the reef and enjoying its benefits for surfing and recreation.”
You mentioned creating more surf spots. How do healthy reefs benefit the surfing community?
“Reefs break waves, creating those exhilarating barrels we all crave. Plus, they offer crucial protection from erosion, keeping our coastlines intact for surfing. Reefs create more lasting surf spots, creating exciting opportunities and minimizing overcrowding at popular breaks like Honolii, where things can get pretty hectic at times.”
What are the biggest obstacles you face in this endeavor?
“Bureaucracy! Getting permits in Hawaii can be a real challenge.It feels like navigating red tape whenever you want to improve something.
We need more people in positions of power who understand the value of surfing and its connection to healthy oceans. Folks like former Mayor Billy Kenoi saw the vision, but we need more champions for this cause.”
Do you have a message for readers who want to support your vision?
“Get involved! Learn about microfragmentation and how you can support reef restoration efforts.You can also pick up a copy of my new book, “Kalapana: Reflections of Lost Waves,” available at Orchid Land Surf Shop and local bookstores. It’s a story about the past, present, and future of surfing in Hawaii, and it reminds us that protecting our oceans is a collective responsibility.”
