Help Waialua Kids Reclaim the Ocean After the Devastating North Shore Storm

The Next Wave: Restore Hope for North Shore Keiki

The devastating "99-year storm" caused $1 billion in damage, stripping many local children of their most vital connection to their culture and heritage: their surfboards.

Our Goal: 99 Boards for 99 Kids

We are providing brand-new shortboards, longboards, and soft-tops to children (ages 5–18) in Waialua and Haleiwa. This isn't just about surfing, it’s about restoring childhood and using the healing power of the ocean to wash away the trauma of the storm.

For a child on the North Shore, the ocean is more than just water, it’s their classroom, their sanctuary, and their soul. When the "99-year storm" tore through Waialua and Haleiwa, it didn't just break homes; it stole the tools of childhood. For families fighting to rebuild, replacing a surfboard is a luxury they can't afford. But for a local kid, losing that board means losing their connection to their friends, their culture, and their greatest source of peace.

A Legacy of Healing

This mission isn't a one-time reaction; it is a natural evolution of who the McNamara ohana is. For years, the family has championed "Surf for the Soul" collaborations, deeply rooted in a long-standing partnership with Kids Hurt Too. They have spent decades using the ocean as a vessel for healing, helping children navigate the weight of grief and trauma through the rhythmic power of the waves.

Providing these 99 boards is the next chapter in that work, ensuring that the trauma of the storm is met with the same "Surf for the Soul" spirit that has guided the McNamaras for generations.

Turning Trauma into Waves

We are doing this because we’ve seen the "99-year storm" leave behind more than just debris—it left a void.

The Goal: To replace the memory of rising floodwaters with the thrill of a rising swell.

So we set a goal:

99 new boards in April for kids ages 5–18 in the Waialua–Haleiwa community.

We’re focused on brand new boards only:

This is direct, boards going straight into kids’ hands.

$600 provides one brand-new board for a keiki,

$300 provides one brand-new softtop board for a keiki, but any donation will help

The Healing: We believe the best therapy for a North Shore child is found in the lineup, surrounded by their ohana and the rhythmic power of the sea.

The Full Circle of Aloha

This mission is deeply personal. In 1978, Liam McNamara was that kid, arriving in Waialua with nothing, sleeping on a floor, and relying on the kindness of neighbors. The community stepped up for him, and that support transformed a boy with humble beginnings into a world-class athlete and local leader.

We are doing this to close the circle. By putting new boards into the hands of 99 keiki, we aren't just giving them equipment. We are telling them that their community has their back and that their healing matters.