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Guardians, Gatherings & Game-Changers: The Spirit That Shapes Surf & Community 🦈 🌊 |
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This isn’t just a surfboard—it’s a portal. Board 5 of 10 in TIOIT’s ‘Surfing Through the Decades’ series takes you beneath the surface, into a world teeming with life, mystery, and power. Hand-painted by KrisTs Art, this 1986 vintage board was revived by the TIOIT team, transformed into a striking decorative piece that speaks to the soul of the sea and the inspiration behind the Tribal Mano Collection.
It’s about the pulse of the ocean, the rhythm that connects every living thing. The rush of a predator, the calm drift of a school of fish, the unseen forces that shape the world below. Some creatures make your heart race—a shark gliding just out of sight, a barracuda’s sharp gaze. Others slow it down—the graceful dance of a manta ray, the hypnotic movement of the tide. This board doesn’t just depict the ocean; it embodies it—the balance of fear and awe, power and tranquility.
In Hawaiian culture, the shark is more than just a predator—it is ‘aumakua, a guardian spirit. A protector, a teacher, a reminder that respect for the ocean runs deeper than fear. We don’t own the sea; we share it, learn from it, and, if we’re lucky, ride its energy.
This board is more than art. It’s a statement. A story. A challenge. Will you just skim the surface, or will you dare to dive deeper? Ride the Storm. |
|  | The Unseen Currents: How Hospitality Shapes Everything- Even Surf. |
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When I landed my first job as a teenager, at Biola University with Bon Appétit, my dad showed up one night right as dinner service was kicking off. Without hesitation, he gathered the entire staff into a circle and thanked them. Not just the managers or the front-of-house crew—the dishwashers, too. The ones people often overlook, the ones whose work goes unseen but keeps everything running. He made sure they knew they mattered. That moment stuck with me. It shaped how we built TIOIT. Surf life isn’t just about surfing. Yeah, the ocean fuels us, but the real work happens everywhere. It’s picking up 3M adhesive backing from a warehouse in the IE. It’s the worker who didn’t hesitate to haul our order to the car. It’s the corporate execs who set up our account. The marine biologists and scientists who gave us insights. The Marina surfers, their parents, their coaches. Our team grinding behind the scenes, doing both the glamorous and the absolutely cringe-worthy tasks.
So when my dad—who is on the board of Collins College of Hospitality at Cal Poly, Pomona—asked if TIOIT would take part in their annual Hospitality Uncorked fundraiser, the answer was obvious. Because every industry, every movement, every brand worth a damn succeeds by embedding hospitality into its core. It’s not just service; it’s connection, respect, and recognizing the unseen forces that make things happen.
Watching Hospitality Uncorked take shape reminded me why I’m here. Why TIOIT exists. And why I’ll always be grateful for my dad’s example—PASSION, grit, and the refusal to play by the world’s rules. He taught me to pull myself up by my bootstraps and take the world by the tail. To stand in the storm, ride it and create my own version of reality.
And with that, we send the Surfboard, TraXion, Board Shorts and more off to the Hospitality Uncorked silent auction, a side of TIOIT you don’t see. Ride the Storm.
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|  | Kim Ball: Building More Than a Surf Empire. |
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Maui isn’t just another dot on the map. It’s a battleground for culture, commerce, and community, where waves aren’t the only forces shaping the island. And at the center of it all? Kim Ball. Not just a surf shop owner. A force of nature.
Hi-Tech Surf Sports isn’t some corporate chain cashing in on surf culture—it’s a heartbeat. A place where groms buy their first board, where legends drop in unannounced, where the next generation finds its footing. Ball built it from the ground up in 1982, not just to sell gear but to serve a tribe. While big-name surf brands are crumbling under the weight of their own bloated ambition, Hi-Tech is still here, still relevant, still Maui.
Kim Ball didn’t stop at retail. In 1985, he put Maui’s windsurfing scene on the map with the Kanaha Wind Slalom. While others followed the money, he followed the wind, elevating the island to a global stage. And when the waves called, he answered—founding the Maui Scholastic Surf Championships to give young surfers a proving ground. This isn’t a guy riding trends. He’s the one making them.
Then came August 2023. The Lahaina wildfire didn’t just take homes. It took history. It burned through everything in its path, including Ball’s three houses. But fire tests more than wood and concrete—it reveals character. Instead of stepping back, he stepped up. Hi-Tech became more than a surf shop; it became a supply hub, a place of relief, a reminder that real surf culture isn’t about image—it’s about action. Now, Ball is rebuilding. Not just his home, but Lahaina itself. As part of the Mayor’s Lahaina Advisory Team, he’s shaping what comes next. While major surf corporations struggle to stay afloat, Hi-Tech is still setting the bar, still backing the local scene, still proving that legacy isn’t about how big you get—it’s about how deep you’re rooted. Kim Ball doesn’t just sell surfboards. He shapes the waves future riders will take.
That’s the real Hi-Tech. That’s the real Maui. Ride the Storm.
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|  |  | The Tribal Mano Collection is a tribute to the shark—Manō in Hawaiian—a symbol of strength, protection, and relentless forward motion. In Hawaiian culture, sharks are sacred, believed to be guardians and even family ancestors, offering guidance and supernatural power. Like the manō, TIOIT has embraced the mindset of never looking back, pushing forward with our surf company no matter the fear or obstacles. This collection is a celebration of resilience, independence, and the unstoppable force of movement—because just like the shark, we never stop swimming toward what’s next |
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🌊 Surf Shop Saturday: Hi-Tech Maui 🏄♂️ This Saturday, we're spotlighting Hi-Tech Maui, a surf institution that has been shaping the island’s surf culture since 1982. Located in Kahului, Hi-Tech isn’t just a shop—it’s a cornerstone of Maui’s surf, skate, and windsurfing legacy. At Hi-Tech, you’ll find a top-tier selection of surfboards, wetsuits, and gear tailored to the island’s unique waves. Whether you’re paddling out at Ho‘okipa, chasing barrels at Honolua, or just getting started, their expert crew will get you dialed in with the right equipment and insights. But Hi-Tech is more than retail. Under the leadership of Kim Ball, it has fueled Maui’s surf scene through local contests, grom support, and community-driven initiatives. When Lahaina faced devastation, Hi-Tech stepped up—proving that surf culture isn’t just about the waves, but the people who ride them. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Hi-Tech Maui is the go-to spot for gear, guidance, and true Hawaiian surf stoke. Stop by, talk story, and support a shop that has kept Maui’s surf spirit alive for over 40 years. 📍 Address: 58 Maui Lani Pkwy, Wailuku, HI 96793
📞 Phone: (808) 877-2111
🌐 Website: hitechsurf.com
📸 Instagram: @hitechsurf Tag @TIOITSURF and @hitechsurf in your posts this week for a chance to win a FREE Surf Shop Saturday trucker hat! 🎉 #SurfShopSaturday #HiTechMaui #MauiSurf #HawaiiSurf #TIOITSURF #RideTheStorm |
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Stay stoked, stay inspired, and keep riding the waves of life with us. We’re honored to have you as part of the TIOIT Tribe.
Ride the Storm,
KrisT, TiMo and Team TIOIT
Visit Us: TIOIT.CO
Follow Us: Instagram | TikTok | Blog |
| Gaining TraXion ⬇️WATCH THE TraXion in ACTION! |
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This video show TIOIT TraXion in Action. |
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