Shaka

Originated in Hawaii-

Our great great grandfather Hamana Kalili invented it.

It all started with a bang. One afternoon he was down at Kane'ohe Bay tinkering with his fishing boat, as he often did. When the daily drizzle rolled in, he began to wrap up his project in a hurry and crossed two wires that should never have been crossed…BOOM! Old Grand-pappy blew his three middle fingers clear off—on both hands.

Once the smoked cleared, he hollered out, “Oooeee! That was quite a shaka. But, no worries, at least I still have my thumbs and pinkies.”

Soon after, Grand-pappy became a living legend for truly embodying the Aloha Spirit: Everything is gonna be alright, no matter what.

When locals passed him on the beach, they’d wave a friendly hello. Grand-pappy would smile and wave back—with only his thumb and pinky, of course. The locals soon followed suit and the shaka gesture was born.

So, whether you’re shacked in a deep barrel on a double overhead day at Trestles, or cruisin’ down PCH in your 1973 VW bus, be sure to flash a friendly shaka to your fellow Shaka People…and remember our great great grand-pappy Hamana.

To make a shaka:

1. make a fist (not a tight fist)

2. extend both your pinky and your thumb.

3. lightly shake your hand

Remember-only bust out the shaka when you are super stoked!

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