Apart from being late, this article is about what went down during the visit of the team Da Hui Hawaii to team Da Hui Bali in 2005. With the season 2006 already starting the next visit is getting closer and closer, keep your eyes open… Rodrigo "Digone"

Ocean Warriors (words by Matthew Ellks, Da Hui Bali director)

  Da Hui surfers have always kept true to their roots. Their attitude is inherent from their forefathers who were Hawaiian warriors full of cultural pride. They created the culture of surfing because they had an ideal lifestyle that gave them time to create enjoyable customs worthy of participation. Being surrouded by ocean made them familiar with water activities. It was just a matter of time till they harnessed the power of the waves and started surfing.

  The individuals in Da Hui tribe are full of this cultural surfing spirit. That is why Hawaii is still regarded “the mecca of surfing”. But these days ask any of the Hawaiian boys and they will tell you that they rate Indonesia´s waves on par if not better than their own. That was the main reason why a crew of Da Hui team riders landed in Bali in mid May (2005) ready to indulge in some quality “ombak”. Upon arrival at Denpasar airport Da Hui brotherhood was clearly evident by the large number of Balinese counterparts who were there to greet them. For in the corporate world Da Hui has also emerged as a competitive warrior. From the North Shore of Oahu Eddie Rothman has been slowly building a Da Hui clothing line which now is distributed in most countries around the world. Through a lot of hard work from a dedicated team Da Hui has promoted it´s hardcore vibe whilst supporting environmental awareness for our oceans.The Da Hui of Bali were clearly excited in their brothers visiting from Hawaii. As hugs and smiles were exchanged it was clearly evident that the bond between island cultures was truly being threaded.
  The Hawaiian boys were escorted to “Poppies 1” were they stayed each year. The Da Hui´s personal cinematographer, Freddy, had booked them in some pool side rooms to ensure some leisure time when they weren´t searching for waves. He had already been in Bali for quite some time with fellow Hawaiians Akila Aipa and Rory who were all part of the same “Pipleline Posse”. New arrivals included Makua Rothman, Marcus Hickman, Ricco, Jesse and Jake.

  Makua´s dad and global director of Da Hui arrived two days later on an evening flight. He was met by his long time friend and Balinese licensee Made kasim. The two hadn´t seen each other for over 4 years so there was a bit of catching up to do. Kasim haqd originally been a guide for Eddie in the early surfing days of Bali and they had become great friends. Eddie was sympathetic to the suffering of the local people after the bomb and was happy to hear things were steadily getting better. They both chatted about old times an Eddie was stoked to hear the swell was on the rise.

  Next morning the waves were pumping. Kasim rang Eddie and the boys from his Bukit residence and told them to wax up their guns. From his window he could see lines stack to the horizon. Local legend Ganti picked up Eddie and Freddy had hired a Kijang to transport his local buddies wherever they had to go to get barreled. After franticly throwing their boards and Freddy´s camera gear inside they sped off to Padang-padang in anticipation of getting shacked of their heads. On pulling up in the Padang carpark it was quite clear the surf was pumping. A frenzy of surfers and cameraman were heading down the narrow entry cave to get down to Padang’s secluded beach. Padang was firing and at that moment therer was no better place to be on the island. As Jesse teased the local monkeys Makua and Marcus waxed up and headed up with several of the local Hui. The rest of the Hui crew soon followed and it wasn’t long till the boys experienced some epic thick pits on the infamous inside bowl. The 6 to 8 feet surf was packing a punch and the boys compared it with the Hawaiian Ala Moana bowl on steroids. Their friend Jamie O’Brien knew he was dealing with some raw power after he snapped two boards in a row. At least fifteen boards snapped that day as the crew pushed each other further and further inside. Kieren Perrow, ganti, Gbleg, Awan, Makua and Jeremy Byles were all charging that morning. Cameramen lined the cliffs and channel capturing every worthy shot available. The energy on the beach was alive with surfers, locals and wanitas all buzzing from the vibe in the water.

  Later that day Eddie paddled out to and took his place in the line up. He monitored the team’s progress like a dedicated manager would. The difference was that Eddie wasn’t doing for the money. He only managed these young Hawaiian kids because he really cared. He was happy to give them the opportunity to get out of Hawaii and travel the world. When some guy burnt Ricco he pointed him out in the pack for Ricco to return the favor and then some. Call it aggressive but on the flip side Da Hui are always just looking after their own brothers. Later in the session the boss pulled into a thick pit and came out like he had done so many time at Pipeline before. Kasim just arrived in time to witness Eddie exiting Padang’s jaws. Kasim had been practicing for his for his priesthood in the temple all morning and was keen to paddle out and join his Hui friends. Out from the temple and into the pit was the only way you could describe Kasim’s first wave. He hadn’t surfed Padang for several years but after that first wave everyone knew he was back. Young and old Hui alike charged that day and as the boys arrived home at their hotel that afternoon everyone had their own story to tell and everyone was spotting a grin from ear to ear.

  Over the next few days the swell dropped and the Hawaiian boys found some fun waves at Canggu. Accompanied by young Aloha and Da Hui team rider Muklis and his Medewi friends everyone traded waves and pushed each other limits. Again Eddie paddled out and put his backhand to test keeping the younger riders honest. His intake of a durian a day was definitely helping him snap a few turns of the top. Some haole (Hawaiian for bule) gave Makua a mouthful behind his back and was told to “go in” by Eddie and the boys. The guy was extremely lucky to get off with a warning. As Da Hui boys ripped waves apart they kept yelling out “do something” at each other. As heavy as they sometimes seemed there was a lighthearted fun side full of jokes and laughter not far away. Heckling each other was a huge part of their brotherhood.

  Triple crown champion Myles Padaca arrived and the boys focused their surfing on the other side of the island. They hit Keramas hard and whilst the high tide was in the morning they arrived there each day just after first light. Ganti, Sachan and local giant Sabar surfed each session with them. They also caught up with another Hawaiian Hui boy, Mikala Jones. Mikala has been living in indo for quite some time and surfed Keramas often. The whole crew shared a few days together getting some serious barrels and they unanimously decided Keramas is one of the best breaks in Indo. “Mini Backdoor” was the call!

  It wasn’t too long till Eddie and Jesse had to leave and get back home to attend business. The other boys weren’t going anywhere. They had another week up their sleeves and wanted to make the most of it. Kasim wanted to make sure the Hawaiians experienced a bit more than only what Bali had to offer. He set about planning a G-land trip through his good mate Bobby. A bit of jungle living was a good way for the boys to finish their holiday. Kalani Chapman had arrived with Milo and together boarded the early morning fast boat with the rest of the “Pipeline Posse”.

  Local Hui boys Gobleg and Awan also joined their visitors on their journey to the Javanese surfing paradise. Freddy and stills photographer John Hepler shot footage from the boat. It was only 4 to 5 feet but powerful enough for Myles to snap his favorite Brewer. Gobleg took a chunk out of his shin after it collided with his rail. One dinged rail and one leg gouge didn’t stop him from finding the barrel. It wasn’t epic but it was fun G-land. Good enough for the boys to get slotted and for Kalani to pull in and exit an 8 second tube at “Money Trees”. Next couple of days got smaller and the boys headed back to Bali against the wind and current on the fast boat. Being a flat bottom the boat felt every piece of chop. When the boys got of at Serangan they tough they had been in a few rounds with Mike Tyson.

  That afternoon Makua, Myles and Marcus packed their belongings ready for the long haul trough Tokio back home. It had been a great trip. Marcus summed their stay up for all of them when he said: “Trips are as cool as the people you share them with and on this trip we had a crew of cool people around us!” As they said their goodbyes the Hui boys of Bali knew it was only a matter of time before their Hawaiian friends returned. The surfing and good times they shared had made them all proud to be brothers of the same tribe. Yo, lets Go!!