He decided to leave the islands at age 17 where she stowed away on a pineapple freighter.  He eventually ended up at Manhattan Beach, where he slept underneath the pier.  That's where he met Dale Velzy who offered him a job where he kept shop and ended up shaping and glassing for him.  That's where he met Johnny Rice and they had a bunch of good times together running up and down the coast getting into trouble.

Poo was then drafted into the Korean War (1950-1953).  He stayed in California and worked for Dale a couple more years where he was featured in Greg Knoll's "Search For Surf" and "Follow the Sun".  He returned to the islands in the late fifty's where he was a beach boy for Aloha Beach Service and Leroy Ah Choy Beach Service for 30 years.  In 1957, he placed 4th in The 32 mile Catalina Island to Manhattan Beach Pier paddle board race (see "Search For Surf" video clip below of Poo in 1958 at Manhattan Beach).  Poo's son, Jon Kepo'o, started working on the beach at age 13 for Aloha Beach Service, for four years.  Jon began teaching surfing at 17 with his Dad for Leroy Ah Choy Beach Service.

Having served as a lifeguard for 10 years during Jon's amateur career, in 1992, he was the runner up in the Hawaii State Championships and in the U.S. Championships.  He began his professional career in 1992 and  ranked in the top 16 for seven years in the A.S.P. Hawaii and a professional longboarder for 10.

Jon, who is certified as an Instructor, in First Aid, in C.P.R and in Life Saving, has been teaching surfing for more than 20 years at Waikiki Beach.  He is currently an independent contractor working out of  the Star Beach Boys stand, behind the Duke Kahanamouku statue at the beach.

Through the stand, private surfing lessons are available for $75./hr., semi-private (2 people) for $55./hr. per person,  and group lessons for $40./hr per person.  Groups are limited to four people.  Lessons begin with learning the fundamentals of surfing as well as the importance of safety (lasting about 15 - 20 minutes) before ever entering the water.

Workshops are also available for people who would like to improve their longboarding skills or their Stand Up Paddle Board skills.  The stand also offers surfboard rentals, outrigger rides, lounge chairs, umbrellas and body boards.

If  you are visiting the Islands and would like to ask questions about surfing or the services Jon (and the stand) offers, don’t hesitate to contact him on his cell phone at (808) 218-1828.  Aloha!

Video clip from "Search for Surf"
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