3rd ANNUAL
JOHN KELLY ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Waimea Valley Audobon Center, North Shore, Oahu (Dec. 3, 2005) –
On Sat. night, the Oahu Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation presented their third annual John Kelly Environmental Achievement Awards to recognize those who have made the greatest contributions towards protecting or enhancing our coastal community and environment. Larry McElheny was given the Lifetime Achievement Award; Rochelle Ballard won the Professional Surfer Award; and Jack and Kim Johnson’s Brushfire Records was honored as the Most Environmentally Friendly Oahu-based Company.
Larry McElheny and his son Blake have been an environmental activists for years in the North Shore community and have been instrumental in preserving the Paumalu Pupukea area. Rochelle Ballard has also actively supported the Pupukea Paumalu Campaign and has promoted environmental causes through her surf camps. Jack and Kim Johnson have toured the country promoting environmental awareness and conservation through their Kokua Foundation and the Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle.
The awards were presented at a Benefit Luau organized by the North Shore Community Land Trust for the Pupukea-Paumalu Campaign, which took place at Waimea Valley on Saturday night. Mark Cunningham, Kelly Slater and Chris Latronic emceed the fun event, which included a high-bidding live auction and amazing entertainment by John Cruz, Kawika Kahiapo and Jack Johnson. Many pros and surf industry executives attended, including 7-time World Champion Kelly Slater, 3-time World Champ Andy Irons, Rob Machado, Shaun Tomson, Rabbit Bartholomew, Randy Rarrick, Peter Cole, Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard, Quiksilver’s Bruce Raymond and many others.
The Oahu Chapter seeks to promote environmental activism by honoring the efforts and achievements of individuals and organizations. Last year, George Downing was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement award; Kelly Slater was awarded the Professional Surfer category; and Oceanit was chosen as the Oahu company that is highly dedicated to protecting the 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 Oahu. 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 beach access was more about roads and transportation.
-----
