Giving thanks to the Queen of Makaha

photo courtesy of the Rell Sunn Educational Fund

Rell Sunn was an ambassador of Hawaii, the first female lifeguard on the islands, and one of the first female pro surfers in the sport’s history.   She passed away from breast cancer at the age of 47, but her legacy lives on through her Menehune Surf Contest and the Rell Sunn Educational Fund.

On November 29th, in Waimea Valley the Rell Sunn Aloha Jam will take place at 7 p.m.  On hand to perform are Henry Kapono, Jake Shimabukuro, Paula Fuga, Cyril Pahanui, Kaukahi and surfer Rob Machado.  Other special guests are set to make appearances to honor the “Queen of Makaha” for the Rell Sunn Bronze Memorial Project.  A special auction and raffle will take place  at the Aloha Jam, where an array of surfboards from the pros and new items will be up for grabs. A special surfboard shaped by North Shore Shaper, Pat Rawson will have images by Clark Little Photography place on the deck of the board (estimated value up to $5000).

Ticket to the Aloha Jam range from $25 to $75 and are on sale a Surf N Sea in Haleiwa, Boardriders on the North Shore, HIC in town, and online at www.ticketjunior.com. For more information and to purchase tickets or make a contribution to the Memorial Bronze Fund, visit www.rellsuun.com.

Sunn’s Menehune Surf Contest was the starting point for many of today’s top Hawaiian surfers.  This contest is now in its 34th year and also takes place this weekend from November 28-30. The purpose of this program is to educate the public, especially children, about sportsmanship and the environment and to combat juvenile delinquency. Events include body board, long board, and short board, and each event is broken into age and gender categories. The entrance fee is $10 per event and each child is limited to two events. Similar contests are usually $25 to $100 per event. Each contestant receives a t-shirt with contest advertising on it, assorted surf necessities, magazines, literature about the dangers of the sun, early cancer screening, and environmental awareness.

The Menehune Surf Contest is held every year at Makaha Beach. All children 12 years old and under are welcome to participate in the contest, and the public is invited to attend free of charge.