Tom Pohaku Stone
Carving Legacy: How Traditional Hawaiian Culture Lives and Breathes Into the Future
Written by a Native Storyteller
Kalani MillerA Legacy Carved in Wood and Stone
The morning sun cast long shadows across my friend Tom's workshop as I watched him run his weathered hands along a piece of koa wood. "Every wood speaks to you," he told me, his voice carrying the same gentle authority I remember from my papa's stories. "It tells you what kind of board it wants to become."
This is Tom Pohaku Stone's world—a place where ancient Hawaiian traditions live and breathe through every careful cut, every patient stroke of the adze. But his story didn't start with such wisdom. It began with a moment of pain that would shape his entire life.
From a broken board thrown into flames to becoming a master craftsman who revives ancient traditions — Tom Pohaku Stone's journey shows us the transformative power of embracing heritage and the strength that comes from reconnecting with cultural roots.
From Pain to Purpose: A Cultural Renaissance
Tom's transformation from a celebrated North Shore surfer who fell into the dark currents of the surfing world to becoming a cultural guardian represents something much bigger than personal redemption. His work breathing life back into nearly forgotten Hawaiian traditions shows the power of culture to heal, connect, and guide us forward.
Through his mastery of three sacred practices—heʻe nalu (wave sliding), heʻe hōlua (land sledding), and kālai pōhaku (stone carving)—Tom has become a bridge between the deep past and the immediate present, using ancestral knowledge to address modern challenges and create a more inclusive future.
🏄♂️ Heʻe Nalu
Traditional wooden surfboard carving - connecting with the spirit of the wood to create boards that offer a spiritual surfing experience.
🛷 Heʻe Hōlua
Ancient land sledding revival - single-handedly bringing back a nearly extinct extreme sport once practiced by Hawaiian chiefs.
🗿 Kālai Pōhaku
Stone carving mastery - understanding that stones are alive, holding mana and memory, and approaching them as teachers.
Explore Tom Pohaku Stone's Journey
Dive deep into the story of cultural revival, master craftsmanship, and the power of returning to ancestral wisdom.
ℹ️ About Tom Pohaku Stone
- Birthplace: Kailua, Oʻahu
- Education: UH Hawaiian Studies
- Specialties: 3 Ancient Arts
- Students Taught: 100,000+
- Legacy: Cultural Revival
🎨 Traditional Practices
- Surfboard Carving Koa Wood
- Hōlua Sledding Revival Master
- Stone Carving Living Stones
- Cultural Education Kuleana
🎓 Academic Journey
Hawaiian Studies, UH
Pacific Island & American Studies
Papa Hōlua Revival
A Bridge Between Worlds
Tom Pohaku Stone's life represents a powerful example of cultural renaissance. His journey from the peaks of Pipeline to the depths of despair and finally to a place of deep peace and purpose shows us that culture isn't a static object to be displayed behind glass—it's a practice, a relationship, a responsibility.
Cultural Healing
His personal transformation mirrors the healing needed when cultures reconnect with their roots after periods of disconnection.
Living Traditions
Through hands-on teaching, he ensures ancient practices remain alive and relevant for future generations.
Global Impact
From the Smithsonian to remote villages, his work connects indigenous wisdom with the modern world.
"Aloha is without expecting anything is to give. And that's been my mission is giving that sense of aloha to people based on what I do... sharing that tradition, that way of life."
— Tom Pohaku Stone