ISSUE 10 // SHRED ON! [SUMMER 2016] by HNL FLOW

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

When I was in elementary school, I was sort of a tomboy. I favored Buzz Lightyear and Pokemon cards. Most of my friends were male (except for a couple of girls that I was living room and turn on the TV so that I could catch new episodes of “Digimon,” “Pokemon,” and “Rocket Power.” I was also sort of a daredevil, venturing off to unknown places in the neighborhood. But after one life-changing incident that involved falling off a tire swing, I never left my house without the fear that I might get hurt. But as I grew older, I learned that life is all about taking risks. The skate and surf cultures are just two very prime examples of embracing every opportunity and taking life by the reins. If we don’t step out of our comfort zone to try new things, how would we know if we’ll succeed or fail? Nearly three years ago, I didn’t know how far we would come with HNL Flow. Now we’ve made it to our first double-digits issue, and I couldn’t be more proud of the work we’ve done over the past few years. It’s been was one of the most frightening, yet rewarding experiences that I’ve ever done. So with that note, I encourage you to do something new -today, this summer, sometime soon. Be fearless and shred on. Best, Vina Cristobal FOUNDING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, HNL FLOW

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close with). And every Saturday morning, I would run to the

HNLFLOW S TA F F

“What gives you adrenaline?”

VINA CRISTOBAL FOUNDER & CHIEF @VEE.CRIS

ASHLEY ONZUKA WRITER & VIDEOGRAPHER @ASHKIMIE

“ What gives me adrenaline—doing the unexpected. ”

RAELYN BATACAN MARKETING, PR, & WRITER @RAELYNRB

REINA MACARAEG WRITER @REINANANA.JPG

“ Being uncomfortable. It’s a challenge to be somewhere or do something unfamiliar. It fotces you to be aware of your surroundings. It’s the same with awkward conversation. ”

SAGE BATTAD MARKETING & WRITER @SAGE.KEELY

AMIXA-RAY CALZADO GRAPHIC DESIGNER @AFCALZADO

“ It’s that ‘new’ type of feeling- a new

“Acting beyond my comfort zone, being part of challenges and activities.”

TASHA MERO WRITER @ITSMEETASHAAA

MARK GALACGAC ILLUSTRATOR @MARKGALACGAC

“I’m not much of an adrenaline junkie, but I’m a sucker for rollercoasters.”

“Fridays gives me adrenaline.”

city, a new experience, a new love. You just get that exciting rush electrifying your body and no feeling is better than that, y’know? ”

REESE KATO PHOTO & VIDEOGRAPHER @TOISHIICHI

LINDSEY GANO GRAPHIC DESIGNER @LYN_ZI

“ What gives me adrenaline is

playing live music and rocking out with my bandmates on stage. ”

ROSELLE JULIAN GRAPHIC DESIGN @R__ZL

JASON PEREZ PHOTOGRAPHER @ JASONPRZPHOTOGRAPHY

“ For me, ‘the rush’ starts with

a good dose coffee (aka 5 cups). Then the rush becomes ‘the rush’. It’s unpredictable, really. Most of the time, it happens the moment when I’m not afraid to fail. ”

KEVIN TUMBAGA GRAPHIC DESIGN @KEVIN.TUMBAGA

SYDNEY RO PHOTOGRAPHER @SYDNEYMASAKOPHOTOGRAPHY

“Having to go #2 while stuck in traffic.”

MARLEEN TANA PHOTOGRAPHER @MAR.LEEN

ASHLEY GUZMAN VIDEOGRAPHER @ASHGUZ

“The thrill of just doing anything I’m passionate about gives me a rush.”

Here are our other staff members who were not in this issue, but have given endless support.

CLAYTON NELSON KAHEALANI UEHARA

Table of Contents 07

Words • Raelyn Batacan Photos • Reese Kato Video • Ashley Guzman

On The Native Edge • Native Edge Words • Sage Battad

Photos • Marleen Tana Video • Vina Cristobal

No Nonsense With Newsense • Newsense Words • Ashley Onzuka Photos • Mark Galacgac

Growing Happiness in Our Garden • Our Garden Collective Words • Tasha Mero

Photos • Sydney Ro Video • Ashley Guzman

God’s Prism • Prizm

Words • Reina Macaraeg Photos • Jason Perez Video • Reese Kato

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Fleet of Faith • Delta Fleet

WORDS:

Raelyn Batacan

VIDEO:

Reese Kato

@deltafleetband

INSTAGRAM:

@thebanddeltafleet

Ashley Guzman

aith has slowly crept up on me

they used that particular medium

from different aspects of my life

to connect with other people. Over

lately and it’s inspiring how much

time, the music they made before

time and effort a group of people

their bible study group reached its

can put into sharing their faith and

potential of standing on its own

connecting with others.

and are used to perform at gigs and extend their reach from their church

The band Delta Fleet, whose name

to music venues in Honolulu.

originated from a Vietnamese restaurant in Pearl City, was formed

“We try to proclaim the truth when

by a common goal – to share

we play, every time,” said Charles

their life through music. Through

Taua, who is the band’s drummer.

meeting each other during a men’s bible study group at the Grace

“We always shoot for a lot of

Bible Fellowship in Waipio, they

honesty in our lyrics. Even if it

all shared the same passion and

includes our struggles,” added

love for making music. Eventually,

bassist Daniel Kimbauer.

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PHOTOS:

FACEBOOK:

Each member inspires different aspects of the sound in the music that they produce. From their own influences on music, their skills, passion for music and their feith keep them together. In a song they play regularly at church, and now a regular during their gigs, the chorus is sung as, “Hallelujah the battle has won, hallelujah to Jesus the Victorious Son. He has paid the price once, for all time.” That may be loaded with a lot of what Jacob Pierce, lead vocals and guitar, explained as “Christianese and religious language,” but it captivates what their band is about. “Proclaiming the truth that all of us as humans were created by God, but went astray from God because we chose to live life our way instead of God’s way,” Jacob said. Every third Sunday of the month, the guys of Delta Fleet come together to play worship for their church. They also take this time period to practice and perfect their music.

The guys are perfectionists, like many local bands on the island. Although they may be taking time to release their epic full album and work on getting everything mastered and mixed professionally, they’re slowly putting together lyrics and melodies onto a compilation that their listeners can enjoy. “We could release an album right now if we wanted to,” mentioned Jacob. “[But] success is more defined by the relationship we build with our friends and fans... not like the amount of followers or likes or fans we have. Quality over quantity.” Until they decide to drop a full-length album, you can find some of their music on Soundcloud Make sure to keep up to date with their future shows and other updates by following their Instagram and Facebook (@thebanddeltafleet).

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WORDS:

Sage Battad

PHOTOS: VIDEO:

WEBSITE :

Marleen Tana

FACEBOOK

Vina Cristobal

explorenativeedge.com @explorenativeedge

INSTAGRAM:

@native.edge

ative Edge began when co-owner

purchase. Their most popular product

Josh Riboldi was attending

to date is the Tungsten Koa Wood Ring,

college at Brigham Young University–

which Josh has designed himself.

Hawaii in Laie. He talked to one of his entrepreneurial teachers about

“That [product] has been the most

wanting to start a business. They threw

successful partly because it’s been the

ideas back and forth until his teacher

most marketed,” Josh says. “If you go

suggested selling these rings that he’d

on Amazon and type in ‘Tungsten Koa

acquired. Josh then bought the rings

Wood Ring,’ then you’ll probably see

from his teacher, sold the rings at a

us there. It’ll say sold by Native Edge.

school bookstore and further grew the

That’s probably been the biggest seller

business. Helping him alongside the

just because Amazon gives so much

business is his wife, Lauren Riboldi,

traffic that you get a lot of people that

who jokingly said that she “inherited

stumble upon it.”

it.” Lauren is the head person for their social media, taking charge of their Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Native Edge, a travel and adventure brand, has a small selection of rings and bags that are around the $25 to $60 price range, which are sold either on their website or Amazon. Other retailers on Oahu’s North Shore also carry a supply of their products for

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Native Edge, a travel and adventure brand,

and Josh had both traveled to Thailand on

has a small selection of rings and bags that

separate ocassions and noticed the increase

are around the $25 through $60 price range,

of the issue in the country, which is what led

which are sold either on their website or

them to support the cause.

Amazon. Other retailers on Oahu’s North Shore also carry a supply of their products

“I went to Thailand backpacking with

for purchase. Their most popular product to

my friend and it’s kind of crazy because

date is the Tungsten Koa Wood Ring, which

you’re a little bit more exposed to it when

Josh has designed himself.

you’re traveling,” Josh said. “It happens a lot in Thailand. Me and my friend were

“That [product] has been the most

trying to find a hotel one night . . .When

successful partly because it’s been the most

we went [to this one hotel], we ended up

marketed,” Josh says. “If you go on Amazon

finding out that the hotel was right in the

and type in ‘Tungsten Koa Wood Ring,’ then

red light district of Thailand, which is the

you’ll probably see us there. It’ll say sold

sex trafficking central. And so at night,

by Native Edge. That’s probably been the

everything just turned into this sex selling.

biggest seller just because Amazon gives so

It just felt so evil and dark, and I walked

much traffic that you get a lot of people that

away from that experience really hoping to

stumble upon it.”

play a small part, or hopefully someday a big part, in changing that.”

Native Edge does its best help its customers to save money on its products. The couple

Native Edge has been a success thus far,

hosts numerous giveaways on Instagram

while also making a great impact on the

and discounts through their email list.

community. For three years, the business has been steady with flowing sales, great

Even as a small business, Native Edge still

social media feedback, and community

contributes time to help the community. One

impact. New products, such as the striped

percent of its sales are donated to Operation

backpack, are on the way so that customers

Underground Railroad, an organization

have more options to search for.

that battles child sex trafficking. Lauren

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WORDS:

Ashley Onzuka

PHOTOS:

WEBSITE :

Mark Galacgac

newsenseclothing.com

FACEBOOK :

@newsenseclothing

INSTAGRAM :

@newsenseclothing

ack in 2010, Chad L. was brainstorming on the idea of starting his own clothing line. In that same year, his dream of creating original

ideas and designs soon became a reality.

not only for his passion in skateboarding, but also for his peers. “I wanted to print designs that friends had in their black book, that’s what got me started,” Chad stated. Not only was his peers an inspiration for him to start his company, they also played - and continue to play - a part in motivating him to build the brand. The company logo of Newsense is a monkey with a bandana on. The monkey’s name is Newsense, which you probably guessed, derives from the word nuisance. All the designs of Newsense are mostly illustrated by Chad himself, aside from a collaboration he did with none other than Flow graphic designer Mark Galacgac. Chad enjoys his job, his company, and of course designing. “Enjoy what you do! Have fun doing it!” was Chad’s response when asked what some of the important things in life were.

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Chad, owner of Newsense Clothing, was inspired to start his company,

One of his favorite things about

feel really proud of what he is doing

designing for his company is

and the wonderful people and vibe

accomplishing a project and having

he has around him. Chad’s advice

the final product ready to be seen

to our readers out there with hopes

and worn by skaters. When asked

of starting their own business, or

how he felt after a new design was

to pursue any of their dreams, is to

created, Chad simply replied by

start small and surround yourself

saying, “I feel inspired.

with positive people; I personally couldn’t agree more with him.

”From the start, Chad’s peers and local skaters continue to be a

New designs will continue to come

huge inspiration. Chad explains

from Newsense Clothing, which

that one thing he learned from

means there will be more from Chad

starting a company is that it can

and his company in the future.

have the power to inspire and motivate people. Although starting a company is a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication, wonderful things can stem from it. Chad’s greatest accomplishments with Newsense include being featured in multiple magazines, seeing his skaters in newspapers and ads, and also seeing his skaters win in competitions. It makes him

WORDS:

Tasha Mero

PHOTOS:

Sydney Ho

VIDEO: Ashley

Guzman

Facebook : @ourgardencollective Instagram : @ourgardencollective

ur Garden Collective, a newly launched lifestyle brand, features a collection of ideas that have been brought

to life. The woman behind the brand is local entrepreneur Keri Kubota, who strives to share happiness through her art. The brand’s name was inspired by the idea of a garden. But instead of a typical garden filled with a collection of plants, Keri’s figurative garden is filled with a collection of

The purpose of Keri’s brand was to create a community, or garden, of artists. Our Garden Collective showcases a selection of products from Keri and other individual creatives. Like seeds in a garden, the artists of Our Garden Collective are rooted in creativity, learning and growing together. Keri collaborates with various artists, including Jordan Anderson and Satchie Wolfe. Both artists create one of a kind pieces; Satchie offers necklaces that are handmade in Hawaii while Jordan sells cleansed, wire-wrapped crystals. Our Garden Collective is a rebirth of Keri’s own heart, and her website acts as a platform for her and other artists to share their own unique creations with the world.

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apparel, home goods, stickers, postcards and more.

“My brand is very, very personal to me,” Keri

“I am rooted in Hawaii, which is the

says. “It’s like an extension of myself, so I

foundation of my inspiration,” Keri

feel like it’s just growing along with me.”

notes. “Traveling is also a big part of my creative fuel...I’m continuously inspired by

Browse through the various items of Our

connections to new places and new people.”

Garden Collective and you’ll see how Keri fully utilizes her skill set as a graphic

Her items are sourced locally and she also

designer into her brand. As her website

prints everything here on island. One of

also features collaborations with other

Keri’s favorite items are their “Love Letters.”

artists, Keri assists them with everything

Her postcards feature six different designs

from creating designs for products to

and are perfect for those who enjoy crafting

doing photoshoots. She also helps in

handwritten sentiments. Other available

branding these artists by generating social

items include their 15 oz. ceramic mugs

media presence, designing logos, creating

and their “Stay Rad” tote, which is great for

business cards and more.

carrying around summer essentials.

Although Keri is originally from Kailua, she decided to travel to the mainland to pursue a degree in graphic design and communications. After graduating from Chapman University, Keri moved back to Hawaii in 2014. Keri tries to use Hawaii as inspiration for her brand, but she also strives to offer a variety of items so that there’s something for everyone, whether they be from near or far. One of Keri’s favorite quotes is “Bloom where you’re planted.”

On being an entrepreneur, Keri notes that her decision to start her own business was quite recent. She says that she enjoys being her own boss because she has full control over what she does with her own time. “It’s just very rewarding that I have flexibility like that,” Keri explains. “My purpose in life is to inspire happiness, so I’m just trying to do that. The fact that I’m an entrepreneur allows me to give myself time to do that.” Items are available for purchase through Our Garden Collective’s online store. In the near future, Keri also plans to showcase her products at local pop-up events, including Art + Flea and Honolulu Night Market. Her ultimate goal is to one day have a creative space that would also act as a storefront, where she can continually create new designs.

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Check out vimeo.com/hnlflow to see our video on Our Garden Collective

Reina Macaraeg

PHOTOS: VIDEO:

FACEBOOK:

Jason Perez

@tor.sunnanota

INSTAGRAM:

@prizmsurfboards

Reese Kato

or six years, Tor Sunnanonta

kid so I tried to make my own with

has been making and shaping

a knife and I tried to make one, but

surfboards by hand. What drew

failed miserably.”

inspiration for his company, Prizm Surfboards (stylized “PRiZM

Despite the challenge, he felt that he

Surfboards”), is that he followed the

had to finish making the surfboard.

outlines of older boards. However,

Over time, Tor perfected his craft,

he customizes the Prizm surfboards

which led to a love of making things

so that it has the performance of a

with his hands.

modern board. Tor explained that his ‘Prizm’ is “It’s kind of funny but as a kid, I

spelled with a lowercase “i” because

watched [the movie] ‘North Shore’

it’s not about him -- similar to the

and a guy from the movie, made

concept of ‘He is greater than I,’

boards the old fashioned way, by

another surf-based Christian brand.

hand,” Tor said. “But I was just a

As you’ll notice, the logo for Prizm

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WORDS:

is a triangle, or rather, a prism. Tor

But Tor’s business is driven by more

really likes triangles, but it’s deeper

than just customer interaction.

than that. He named his brand Prizm Surfboards because of the rainbow that

“Making surfboards is more than a

comes out of one end when a light is

ministry. It is spreading the love of God.”

shone on the other.

Although Tor follows certain theories when making boards, it’s his faith in God

“I believe that the light is God’s word

that truly guides him. “It’s not me. I’m

and the colors that comes out of it is you

not that good. It’s God.”

spreading God’s word,” he said. Tor values his one on one relationships with his customers. Each board is designed and made for each customer based on their personal experiences and what their needs are, which Tor believes is one of the hardest steps of making a board. Tor meets with his customers, surfs with them and observes what they could improve on. He is inspired by the type of wave that his customers surf and how they approach it.

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Check out vimeo.com/hnlflow to see our video on Prizm Surfboards