Kaua‘i surf shop named MVP by Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council

Last Thursday, Tiffani Keanini, project leader of the Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee, presented Saa Ginlack, owner of Tamba Surf Co, with a certificate of appreciation from The Hawaiʻi State Legislature for the surf outfitter’s contribution to invasive species education, prevention, and management on Kauaʻi.

“Ginlack and the Tamba team have been a critical partner in sharing the word about invasive
species on Kauaʻi and offering support in the effort to save ‘ōhiʻa from the invasive disease
known as Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death,” Keanini said.

Tamba spearheaded an effort known as #Collab4ACause that by the time it was done, had raised $6,000 to help save the state endemic tree on Kauaʻi.

“We appreciate the recognition for what we did for ʻōhiʻa lehua” said Tamba owner Saa Ginlack. “Tamba always tries to do our best. Honestly, it just feels right to support our community, and this was a worthy cause to get behind. I also want to recognize Kuio Young and his company Pulu, who were also involved in the collab.”

Collab4ACause included limited-edition hat and t-shirt with original art by Kūʻiʻoʻoklani Young from Pulu Nursery of Koloa, that was packaged in a specially-designed box. The bundles were sold at Tambaʻs surf shop in Kapaʻa and online. One-hundred percent of proceeds were donated to saving ʻōhiʻa.

The award was announced during the recent Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month, hosted by the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council and its partners, including the Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee.

“We’re in this together,” Barry Klein, Tamba’s media manager, said. “Take care of the land, take
care of the sea, try to leave things a little better than you found them, and search for ways to help our community.”

The donated monies have benefitted KISCʻs effort in multiple ways: Buying new sampling kits
and gear for use in the field; and the development of four animated videos that have been shared across the state in social media, on local TV, and in virtual and in-person presentations.

Too, the monies funded the creation and distribution of 250 bio-sanitation kits that included boot brushes and spray bottles alcohol in a specially-designed backpack and have been given away to the Kauaʻi community. In the spring during ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Day and in the fall, during ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest, Ginlackʻs Tamba crew set up a pop-up tent and tables and broadcast music outside his store, offering the location as a central spot for the community to pick up free ʻōhiʻa keiki starter trees and bio-sanitation kits.