Fierce Heart
The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing
Reviews for “Fierce Heart” | Photos from the Book
Makaha literally means “fierce,” and this community represents the heart of Hawaiian culture. Surrounded by jagged green mountains on one side and a powerful blue sea on the other, the small town of Makaha has produced some the most talented watermen in the world and Hawaii’s biggest icons. FIERCE HEART is the biography of their community and a portrait of their people. Starting with the rise of the Makaha International Surf Classic and Hawaii’s statehood in 1959, the story focuses on two generations of the Keaulana clan, one of surfing’s most famous families. After winning the Makaha International in 1960, Buffalo Keaulana sailed on the maiden voyage of the Hokule’a in 1976 and went on to become one of Hawaii’s legendary surfers, lifeguards and community leaders. His legacy has only grown with his sons=0 Aand extended family in Makaha.
Along with being an accomplished lifeguard, big-wave surfer and Hollywood stuntman, Brian Keaulana pioneered the use of jet skis to perform rescues and revolutionized ocean safety in the process. His brother Rusty won three world longboarding championships in a row. Rell Sunn and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole were like older siblings, and they became the stars of Makaha during their short, brilliant lives. Sistah Rell was Hawaii’s first female lifeguard, a pioneer in women’s professional surfing and a community activist. Starting out with the Makaha Sons and then going on his own, Bruddah Iz eventually became the biggest artist in Hawaii and the voice of the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement. Like shooting stars, Rell and Iz blazed a bright trail in the Hawaiian sky, but their lives burned out all too soon. On the 50th anniversary of statehood (and Israel’s birth), FIERCE HEART chronicles the history of Hawaii’s wild Westside and the enduring legacy of its leaders.
Reviews for “Fierce Heart”
“Fierce Heart is a powerful tribute to the Queen of Makaha. The stories in the book capture my mom’s spirit of aloha and her dedication to helping others. At the Rell Sunn Educational Fund, we are committed to continuing her legacy, and this book will help keep her spirit alive for years to come.”
–Jan Sunn-Carreira, Rell Sunn Educational Fund
“Fierce Heart is a memorable collection of stories about a unique place and a cast of characters that truly define modern Hawaiian culture and the spirit of aloha.”
–Shaun Tomson, World Champion Surfer and author of Surfer’s Code and Bustin’ Down the Door
“Be warned, this edgy, fast-paced book is like surfing a Makaha wave - once you take off, there’s no turning back - once you start reading Fierce Heart, you will be unable to put it down. Fierce Heart ‘s wisdom will linger with you for a very long time, and you will never look at your own life the same way again.”
–Sandra Kimberly Hall, author of Duke: A Great Hawaiian
“Fierce Heart shines a light onto the world’s best-known, least-understood surf break.”
–Matt Warshaw, author of Maverick’s and The Encyclopedia of Surfing
“The spiritual home of the traditional, ocean-based culture of Oahu’s West Side is at Makaha, where the bonds of community have been nurtured and tested by the surf. Stuart Coleman gracefully guides us into this world with respect and heart.”
– Drew Kampion, author of Stoked!, Lost Coast, and Greg Noll, The Art of the Surf Board
“If your favorite armchair travel fantasy is like mine — turn off the main road, switch into four-wheel drive and suddenly there’s the Great Good Place — here’s the Hawaiian trip of your dreams. Stuart Coleman’s sincere interest in the rugged Westside of O’ahu got him into the inner circle of the Hawaii that most tourists never see, and he delivers astonishingly intimate portraits of surfers, singers and sea goddesses. There are no luxury hotels, Don Ho music or dancing girls in the pages of Fierce Heart, just raw life and native pride — and local heroes who really are heroic.”
– Jesse Kornbluth, editor of HeadButler.com
“The author of Eddie Would Go has crafted another masterpiece of insight, detail and sensitivity to the Hawaiian culture. Having made dozens of surfing trips to Makaha over the years, I’ve experienced both the warmth and distrust of its proud residents, and I always felt they were gravely misunderstood. Coleman tells the exquisite truth with remarkable depth.”
–Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle and Surfer Magazine sports columnist, author of North Shore Chronicles
