The International Surf
Therapy Organization is
proud to present "The Aloha Award", which recognizes, rewards and supports exceptional
individuals in the global
surfing & ocean sports communities
who are ambassadors
of the Aloha Spirit.

What is the Aloha Award?

We all know Aloha as a Hawaiian greeting, but there are very few people who understand its true meaning, and fewer still who have adopted the Aloha Spirit as a guiding philosophical principle.
One of our favorite references to the Aloha Spirit comes from Hawaiian state law: "In the contemplation and presence of the life force, ‘Aloha’, the following unuhi laula loa may be used:
Akahai, meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness;
Lokahi, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
Oluolu, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
Haahaa, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;
Ahonui, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.”

While it may be impossible for a non-Hawaiian to grasp the full meaning of the word, Aloha, we all know the Aloha Spirit when we see it. Many cultures have concepts that are similar to Aloha, such as “Ubuntu” in South Africa or “Bula” in Fiji. The Aloha Spirit lives in random acts of kindness, large and small, performed without the expectation of anything in return. It manifests itself across a broad spectrum of selfless acts, from putting one’s own life at risk to save another human being to sharing a smile or a kind word with a complete stranger.

Founded in 2018 by Mark Hartmann, the Aloha Award recognizes, rewards and supports exceptional individuals in the global surf and ocean sports communities who embody the Aloha Spirit through service to others. The award is founded on a simple belief: exceptional people create exceptional change. By identifying and supporting proven leaders, the Aloha Award helps amplify the impact of the charitable organizations, programs and community initiatives they lead. Typically, these individuals are involved in, or leading, organizations whose mission is to protect the ocean or to harness its healing powers in the service of others (e.g., surf therapy, ocean conservation). Such organizations may be large, registered non-profits or small, grassroots community-based initiatives. There are no strict eligibility criteria for the Aloha Award other than a demonstrated commitment to living a life consistent with the principles of the Aloha Spirit. However, most successful nominees have: (a) a demonstrated commitment to spreading joy and stoke in the water; and (b) a track record of positive social or environmental impact, typically, but not exclusively, through ocean-based therapy, adaptive surfing, ocean conservation, youth development, disability inclusion, mental health, ocean education, community development, Indigenous leadership or other similar initiatives.
Unlike many traditional grant programs, the Aloha Award begins with people rather than projects. The judges seek to identify exceptional individuals whose impact, character and commitment embody the Aloha Spirit. By supporting proven leaders and the organizations and initiatives they champion, the award seeks to create lasting social and environmental impact throughout the global surf and ocean sports communities.
The winner of the Aloha Award receives a one-week, all-expenses paid trip (i.e., flights and accommodation) to Fiji’s premier water sports resort, Namotu Island, a donation of $12,000 to a charity or charitable endeavor of his/her/their choice. The runner-up also receives a one-week, all-expenses paid trip to Namotu Island, a donation of $6,000 to a charity or charitable endeavor of his/her/their choice. Each of the three remaining finalists receives a donation of $3,000 to a charity or charitable endeavor of his/her/their choice. In addition to donations, the winner, runner-up and three finalists each receive and a $2,500 stipend to either attend the International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO) conference or pay for for education-related expenses (e.g., online classes) intended to help the recipient develop the capacity to scale his/her/their organization. The winner, runner-up and remaining finalists all receive personalized commemorative trophies.
Consistent with the spirit of the award, Aloha Award donations are unrestricted. Recipients are free to direct funding to the charitable organizations, programs and community initiatives they believe will create the greatest positive impact.
Aloha!