By Mike Latronic – In Hawai‘i, surfing is more than a sport—it’s a cultural and recreational standard for many families and more often than not that energy, bloodline, legacy, passes from one generation to the next. Let me introduce you to Isaac and Kiki Kaneshiro.
Isaac Kaneshiro was a respected and solid island performer of the 80’s and 90’s. He became a local legend in around the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, when Isaac defeated reigning world champion and winningest surfer ever, Kelly Slater, twice! Once at the US Championships in Oceanside California and next in a head-to-head at the ASP Coke Classic in Narrabeen, Australia.
Now, that same competitive fire runs through the next generation. Enter Kiki Takako Oshiro-Kaneshiro.
Born February 6, 2011, Kiki is one of Hawai‘i’s brightest rising surf talents. Sponsored by Local Motion Hawaii, with shapes by Wade Tokoro and serving as an Aloha Ambassador for Hau Bush Board Co., she’s already carving her own lane with style, confidence, and that unmistakable island-born water instinct.
She was raised in the ocean—literally. Her dad pushed her into waves from the outside, her mom spotted her from the middle. From the very beginning, surfing wasn’t something she chose—it was simply who she was.
Now homeschooled, dedicated, and surfing every day she can, Kiki represents the perfect blend of old-school surf roots and new-school progression. She carries her father’s fearless DNA, but she’s writing her own story—one wave at a time.
Q&A with Kiki Takako Oshiro-Kaneshiro
Q: Can you remember the very first time you rode a wave? Who was there? What happened?
Vaguely, I was a baby. My Dad would push me from the outside, my Mom would spot me in the middle. I guess I just always grew up on the water. My parents are water people!
Q: What is surfing to you? Sport? Job? Lifestyle? Hobby? Why do you surf?
All of the above.
Surfing is my lifestyle. I love the ocean and the beach! The best times of my life are when I’m at the beach with my family.
Q: How often do you surf? If you didn’t surf, or when you are not surfing, what would you do with your time?
Every day. Unless I’m sick, hurt, or studying… I’m surfing!
When I’m not surfing, I spend time with my dogs, I journal, and I work out.
Q: Let’s talk surf… Is being in the ocean your happy place? What is it like?
Whenever I’m riding a wave, I’m in my happy place.
Big or small, clean or junk, shortboard or longboard—I love to ride.
Q: Your dad was a highly influential surfer back in his day. In fact, I think he took on Kelly Slater and beat him. How has your dad influenced you?
Yes, Slater has never bested my dad in a man-on-man heat.
My dad beat him in 1989 at the U.S. Championships in Oceanside, California, and again in 1993 at the Narrabeen Coke Classic in Australia.
My dad proved that no one is unbeatable, and that is something I remember whenever the odds are against me in anything I’m trying to accomplish.
Q: That is awesome!! Anything else?
I’m super thankful for my sponsors and the organizations who support local surfing.
Without them, none of us would be living our dreams.
Always grateful for my family, especially my mom and dad!
Getting to Know Kiki
Birthday: February 6, 2011
School: Homeschooled
Favorite Food: My Mom’s cooking!
Sponsors: Local Motion Hawaii, Wade Tokoro Surfboards, FLHI Girls Sports TV, and Aloha Ambassador for Hau Bush Board Co.