Thursday, June 21, 2007 — This special edition of the Gazette features a conversation between Mayor Oliver Trumble and his old high school friend Kainoa Kalepa. Kainoa is a surfer and surfboard shaper who just left his longtime home of Hawaii to travel the world. Millsberry is his first stop. Editor-in-Chief Audrey Smythe-Wei sat in on the interview.

Mayor Trumble: Hey there, Kai—you still go by Kai, right?

Kainoa: Yup. Rhymes with "eye." I also go by K.O., Kai-town, and Kid Kai.

Mayor Trumble: Since when? I guess a lot has changed since we were in school together!

Kainoa: Nah, I'm still the same dude. Just have some funny friends out in Hawaii.

Mayor Trumble: So why would you consider leaving Hawaii? It sounds like an island paradise.

Kainoa: I lived there for a while, O. I surfed some amazing waves. But I decided it was time for me to spread my wings a bit. And there are some new spots I've heard about that I'm dying to check out. There's even one near here.

Mayor Trumble: What? You must be joking. I haven't heard of anything like that.

Kainoa: Dude, no joke. I can't wait...I'm gonna train some new groms!

Mayor Trumble: Excuse me, what?

Kainoa: Oh, don't tell me you don't remember what a grom is! We were grommets once—the youngest surfers at the beach.

Audrey: Mayor Trumble, you were a surfer? [Mayor Trumble turns red.]

Kainoa: Ollie was pretty good back in the day. No kiddin'! Right, O? [elbows Mayor Trumble]

Audrey: Wow! [laughs] Tell us about it, er, "Ollie"!

Mayor Trumble: [clears throat] Well, when I was growing up, Kai and I were both good swimmers and lived by the beach. So naturally we tried out surfing. Kai was great at it, and now he's an amazing shaper, too. I went into politics...a much different scene.

Audrey: So Kai, what does a shaper do?

Kainoa: Well, I literally shape the boards that surfers ride. It's an art, really, to understand the material and know how to make little changes to the surface that will give you the most control and the best ride. I recently shaped a board for an up-and-coming Aussie star.

Mayor Trumble: Aussie? Did she travel to Hawaii all the way from Australia to ask you to shape her board?

Kainoa: Yeah, she was dying to go to Waimea Beach—famous spot in Oahu. Hey Olls, you still have that board I made you?

Mayor Trumble: [turning red again] I do, but I'm sorry to say I've been way too busy to take it out for a spin. It's in...my basement.

Audrey: [dramatic gasp] Mayor Trumble! [laughs] I understand completely, being too busy to do things that you used to love. But now that Kai's in town for a bit, maybe you can relive the old days, right?

Kainoa: Right on, Little A. I'm here to show people the way of the wave...

Mayor Trumble: Well, I'm really thrilled you're here. And thanks for letting me introduce you to everyone through the Gazette!

Kainoa: Anytime, bro. I'm stoked to meet everyone in Millsberry and get 'em all hangin' ten!

The Gazette is proud to announce that there will be new surf clothing and other beachgear in stores today. Take a trip to the Clothing Store and check it out!