Surf for the Soul helps traumatized young people find healing through surfing

On November 25, 2024By Pranco

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – On Oahu’s North Shore, two dozen keiki and their families gathered for surfing lessons Saturday.

But they learned much more than that.

At a “Surf for the Soul” event at Puaena Point Beach Park, pro surfer Billy Choi taught young people how to stand on a board and, more importantly, how to get back up if they fell.

He says surfing is an excellent tool and coping mechanism.

“Just as life throws waves of these constant forces at you, whether they are positive or negative. But it is up to us to navigate them, chart our course and set our sails,” says Choi, who says surfing has helped him overcome his own personal problems.

Choi collaborated with the nonprofit organization Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, which provides free programs and support services to children and their caregivers affected by grief and trauma.

Their experiences include everything from losing a loved one to suicide, to living in a foster home, to abandonment, to the incarceration or death of a parent.

Hiro Ito started the event 23 years ago to harness the power of the ocean to heal and bring joy to children who have lost so much.

“I want children to have fun and be healed by having so much fun,” Ito said. “When they are on land they are angry, but when they come out after surfing they are so calm and relaxed.”

Volunteers and sponsors organize the event at least four times a year.

Seven Brothers and Banzai Sushi donated food, while North Shore Surf Shop provided the boards. Families say these types of programs help in their healing.

“I go out and experience life. It’s kind of fun,” says Seth, 13.

“It makes me feel free and not just sad and alone. I just feel happy,” said Elizabeth, 7.

Elizabeth “has a lot of trauma symptoms and this is a way for her to release them and feel like herself,” said grandmother Suzanne. “I really appreciate Billy Choi and Kids Hurt Too and all the professionals who helped us because it means so much to the kids.”

For more information, visit kidshurttoo.org.

Mental health resources

Hawaii CARES 988: Local crisis counselors are available 24/7 by phone, text, or chat to connect you with resources for mental illness, substance use, suicide prevention, and services for children and adolescents.

Call or text 988 to get in touch with someone who can help you through a difficult moment.
Call Hawaii CARES directly at (808)832-3100 or toll free 1-800-753-6879 for emotional support.
Chat on the Crisis Lifeline website.

Maui Nui Strong’s Mental Health Resources: For direct links to mental health resources collected by Maui County, click here.

Disaster Helpline: Call or text the Disaster Emergency Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 for immediate mental health assistance and support (press “2″ for Spanish).

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL callers: To connect directly to an American Sign Language agent, click the “ASL now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL support is available 24/7.

DOH Maui Community Mental Health Center (CMHC): The state Department of Health Maui Community Mental Health Center is providing mental health crisis services and expanding hours for people experiencing emotional or psychological distress due to the Maui wildfires.

To receive emergency services, contact Maui CMHC at (808) 984-2150 or via email at [email protected].
You can also go to the in-person clinic at 121 Mahalani Street in Wailuku. The clinic opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4.30pm. After hours: Contact Hawaii CARES to speak with a crisis counselor at (808) 832-3100 or call 988.

Hazel Health: In partnership with the state Department of Education, Hazel Health provides access to quality healthcare services for all students, at no cost to families this school year. A school health representative can provide a video visit with a Hazel Health licensed therapist while your child is in school. Therapy sessions with Hazel Health are a safe space and are private and confidential.

Hazel visits are possible at school during regular school hours.
Hazel at Home services are available Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To ensure that your child has access to this service or to find out more about the service, click here.

Xplore advice: The doctors at Xplore Counseling are ready to help anyone affected by the fire learn to cope with difficult transitions.

Make an appointment by calling (808) 941-9648 or schedule online.
Intake hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m