Surfrider O‘ahu's John Kelly Environmental Achievement Awards recognize those who have made the greatest contributions towards protecting or enhancing our coastal community and environment. John Kelly, for whom the award is named, was the original recipient of the Lifetime Achievement category. For decades, Kelly led many environmental crusades on O‘ahu. The John Kelly Perpetual Trophy is a small koa surfboard, beautifully shaped as a board from the early days of Waikiki, when the water and the sand were clean, there were no groins or jetties, and there was plenty of beach access. Sadly, John Kelly passed away in 2007, but through this annual event he will be remembered and honored by the Surfrider Foundation.

The Oahu Chapter seeks to promote environmental activism by honoring the efforts and achievements of inspirational individuals and organizations.  Award categories are Lifetime Achievement, Professional Surfer, and Oahu-based company.

Scott Werny, Peter Cole, John Kelly, Doug Rodman

Read John's bio from when he accepted his (and the first)
John Kelly Lifetime Achivement award.

Click here to see John's work with SOS

Hawaii Surf Activist John Kelly Dies

1919-2007

By Catherine E. Toth
Honolulu Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

In the days before he died Wednesday, there was much that John M. Kelly Jr. couldn't remember about his storied life:

That he invented the hydroplane surfboard and was one of the first surfers to ride the waves at Makaha;

That he was a decorated sailor and Juilliard School graduate who wrote books, conducted symphonies and spoke out against nuclear weapons;

That he founded a grass-roots environmental group responsible for saving 140 surf sites on O'ahu. But there was one thing that Kelly, who had Alzheimer's for nearly two decades, could never forget: his love of the ocean. [Read the story here]