The Kia’i: OluKai Serves the Waterman Lifestyle Through the HLA

OluKai continues its partnership with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association in 2009 with the Kia’i – translation: Guard.

The Kia’i serves the ocean community and its culture as the official footwear of the HLA, the world’s most elite water safety organization. Over 420 working guards wear the sandal as part of their uniform while patrolling the ocean’s most dangerous breaks. It was originally introduced exclusively in Hawaii in 2008 and will be made available to specialty surf shops nationwide in 2009.

Proceeds from Kia’i sales help support the HLA’s Junior Lifeguard program on the islands. This underfunded program introduces water safety, first-aid and surf rescue techniques to thousands of kids across Hawaii. The guards contribute their time and knowledge to the young participants in order to inspire them and to increase their self-confidence, physical conditioning, and ocean awareness. The result of this effort serves Hawaii with safer conditions, greater respect for the ocean and more enjoyment for locals and tourists alike.

Hawaii’s beaches have an annual attendance in the tens of millions. Of the residents who spend their time on the shores year around, more than half of the population are under eighteen years of age. At least thirty-two classes can be provided throughout the islands when the Junior Lifeguard Program is fully funded. Guest lecturers who share their insight and give advice to the junior guards include ocean aquatic experts and often world class champions from various water sports and activities.

OluKai partnered with the HLA to design the Kia’i as a hybrid of beauty and social responsibility, detailing island chain embroidery and laser-etched HLA footbed logo. It is a water resistant sandal that features jersey knit lining, neoprene backer, soft nylon toe post webbing and a non-slipping EVA footbed. Its compression molded EVA midsole and the deeper, anatomically contoured drop-in fit provides maximum support for all day comfort. Its non-marking, gum rubber outsole enhances its performance with an elegant coral reef design for added grip.

“We are a proud and humble supporter of the HLA and its Junior Lifeguard Program on the islands,” says Kerry Konrady, Director of Marketing for OluKai. “It is a wonderful opportunity for us to be a part of an inspirational and powerful group of watermen who have such a positive impact on the next generation of Hawaiian lifeguards.”

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The OluKai ‘Ohana Supports Winners of 40 Fathoms Race Event in Hawaii

On Saturday January 31, 2009 over 120 paddlers geared up for a day filled with excitement and intense competition. The 40 Fathoms race event was produced by Kai and Lauren Bartlett. The path is one of Kai’s favorite downwind training runs. He named the race event after the ’40 fathom water line’ that Hawaiian fisherman use when setting their lines for catching the islands’ famous ahi and ono fish.












The twelve mile race began at Kailua Beach on a beautiful day in Oahu. The weather and race conditions were forgiving to the contestants after a long dreary week on the islands. Arlene Holzman, third place winner in the women’s overall long course race, described the ocean and wind conditions to be “relatively mellow for the windward side of the island.”

Holzman has been through the same passage a few times before and explained that the conditions can get “pretty gnarly, especially through ‘the gap’ between the two islands,” she said. “Once we got through that, it was nice surfing conditions with the wind at your back all the way to the finish.”

The race ended at the famous windward landmark “Chinaman’s Hat,” just in front of Kualoa Beach Park with the majestic Koaloa Mountain as the backdrop. OluKai’s own Michele St. John, Sara Christine Dallain and Matthew Murasko were at the finish line to greet the top three winners and award them each with a pair of slippers.

Lauren Bartlett swiftly claimed the first place title in the women’s overall long course race with a time of 1:43:54, nearly five minutes ahead of the trailing Jessica Eames. Mael Carey was awarded the title for the men’s overall long course race with a time of 1:31:25 after going head to head with Luke Evslin in close pursuit.

The community was also able to participate in the festivities and experience the brand first hand through OluKai’s tent display. The Olukai ‘Ohana showcased product and passed out promotional items to spectators and contestants. The event was a wonderful success and OluKai congratulates all of the winners and contestants who participated in the race.

The paddling community thanks Kai and Lauren Bartlett for putting on the 40 Fathoms Racing event. They have earned a renowned reputation in the OC-1 paddling community as world class athletes and work to continue their success through their new non-profit organization Hoe Wa’a O Hawaii. Through the program, Kai and Lauren mentor youth to become world class paddlers and reach out to the less fortunate in the Hawaiian community through OC paddling.