Hawaii News Now has a short video story on a big Hawaiian Lifeguard Association training event is a good sign. What starts in Hawai'i tends to migrate to the rest of the world, and I suspect there's more Jet Skis than real expertise in a lot of places. Story is preceded by a likable ad.

Way back in 1982(?) there was a segemrnt on national news (ABC or CBC or NBC) about 3 or so nuts riding big Sunset on the old stand-up skis. Fucking nuts!

But, and so, later that night, , , ring, ring, it's my buddy on the Big Island. "Did you see the jet skis at Sunset?" Yes!! "You know who was the leader?" NO, no f'n way!!! "Yep, it was Pila (Billy)!"

Pila went on to tow Titus at Jaws in the beginnings.

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Dora Hates You

Jaws (Peahi) was an unlikely but amazing proving ground for quite a lot of surf innovation. A group from Hawai'i did a surf rescue training event in Daytona Beach last year, so the Florida Surf Film Festival put on a special film event to coincide.

Howard : Never heard that story before , but Pila aka Billy Amell is such a unique individual , so no surprise . Still growing one of his trademark strains ( " Huombolt Thunderbolt " ) till this very day . ( He used to grow in the cane fields of the big sugar plantations and the flowering Finnish time always corresponded with the actual burning of the Cane ,so you literately had like 5 to 7 days to harvest your patch before it was toast , I remember one time going out there with him as the actual cane was burning up wind and harvesting a batch at the Eleventh hour . ----- if you have never smelled burning Sugar Cane , it smells God awful ! )

Edited: 03/20/2024 at 05:00 PM by JOESTRUMMER

Pila ended his life this past Thursday/Friday.

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Dora Hates You

And so, Yes. Billy's buds were what others on the other islands were judged by!! Fact. He knew just when a certain plant needed blood or bone meal, etc, , , ,.

His best story, I guess Big Island, the local, old, "Miss Lady" let him know that she had a guy who wanted a pound. He had been told that Pila had the Very best.

So, he gets there and goes up the few steps, goes in the front door, and he is looking at the buyer eye-tp-eye face-to-face but, , , , , the guy is sitting on the sofa!!!!!! Kareem Abdul-Jabbar !!!!!! Yep! Classic Billy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pila's buds would just plain fucking stupefy you!!

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Dora Hates You

Edited: 03/20/2024 at 05:02 PM by dingpatch

WTF : Pila ended his life this past Thursday/Friday.??? Howard , please elaborate!!!!

That is all that I know at this time, pending more info. Not sure that Craig or Vance have any more info yet. Bill W did not know until I emailed him.

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Dora Hates You

RE: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Now I had indeed heard that one before . But , I think I can do you one better: Billy and MacGlaren used to wait for a big swell and a corresponding full moon and surf Wiameia at NIGHT and on ACID mind you ! ( Surfing the Bay at night. whilst tripping balls is some serious creeds in my book ! )

Edited: 03/21/2024 at 02:55 PM by JOESTRUMMER

Jim would surf the Bay alone.

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Dora Hates You

RE : Jim would surf the Bay alone --------- Truth said !!

Edited: 03/21/2024 at 07:16 PM by JOESTRUMMER