Maluhia Kinimaka has a philosophy about life and the Hawaiian spirit. “Accept everybody for who they are and what they are,” she said. “Smile and people smile back.” It was not only her heartfelt smile and outlook that earned her
Maluhia Kinimaka has a philosophy about life and the Hawaiian spirit.
“Accept everybody for who they are and what they are,” she said. “Smile and people smile back.”
It was not only her heartfelt smile and outlook that earned her the 2014 Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation’s Ambassador of Aloha $10,000 Scholarship, it was her 4.3 GPA and dedication to community service helping Kauai Habitat for Humanity that landed her the award.
The scholarship will go toward helping Kinimaka pay tuition at Stanford University in the fall.
“We’re delighted she is our ambassador,” said Bill Pratt, ODKF president. “She was the cream of the crop, the one who exudes aloha spirit like Duke did. No matter who you were, from Hollywood or from the beach, he treated them all the same.”
The world of Duke and surfing has touched Kinimaka since she was a toddler.
“There’s a photo of me on my dad’s longboard when I was eight months old,” said the 2014 Kapaa High School graduate, first in her class.
At the age of 11, she began to compete as a surfer. She learned from her father, Titus Kinimaka, who learned from her uncle Percy Leleo Kinimaka, who was taught by the Duke himself on the beaches of Waikiki.
“The Duke is one of my heroes,” Kinimaka said.
Her dedication to the sport has already taken her places. A highly decorated surfer and a select member of the Hawaii Junior Olympic Surf Team, she has competed at national and international competitions. Maluhia is also a state championship qualifying swimmer. She made the All-Star National Junior Lifeguard team and will represent Hawaii at the national championships this summer.
And while her heart lies in taking to the water, she recognizes the potentially short shelf life of a professional surfer. She knows what it is like to feel the pain of surfing injuries having suffered recurring knee problems two to three times a year.
She’ll continue her studies at Stanford University this fall where she will use the foundation’s scholarship money toward her tuition. She plans to study aeronautical engineering.
“The financial help means so much to me,” Kinimaka said.
After college she will return home to Hawaii.
“Kauai is such a special place,” Kinimaka said with her bright, white smile on Friday during her graduation ceremony. “The island gave everything to me. I want to give something back.”
