Montgomery Kaluhiokalani

Montgomery Kaluhiokalani
Personal information
Born Montgomery Ernest Thomas Kaluhiokalani
(1958-03-30)March 30, 1958
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Died November 2, 2013(2013-11-02) (aged 55)[1]
Nickname Buttons
Residence Hawaii
Website Official website

Montgomery Ernest Thomas Kaluhiokalani (March 30, 1958 – November 2, 2013) was a surfer from Hawaii, known as Buttons. He has been described by Surfer Today as a "surf legend."[2]

Career

Buttons was active from the 1970s onwards.[3] In 1973 he came second in the Boy's Division of the United States Surfing Championship.[4] At the age of 21 he competed in the Pipeline Masters and Sunset World Cup.[3] In 1979 he won the Malibu Pro; he also came third in the 1975 Pro Class Trials, third in the 1981 Pro Class Trials, third in the 1981 Pipeline Masters, and first in the 1981 Peru International.[1]

Drug problems

In 2009, Buttons described himself as a "recovering drug addict" who had been sober for three years.[3] His drug problems began in 1985 with cocaine; he returned to surfing in 1996 but was arrested in 1998, although charges were later dropped.[1] In 2007 he featured on the TV show Dog the Bounty Hunter after being arrested for drug offences.[5]

Personal life

Buttons was named after actor Montgomery Clift.[3]

He had 8 children and 9 grandchildren.[3]

Kaluhiokalani died on November 2, 2013 due to complications from lung cancer. He was 55 years old.[6]

A memorial service was held at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki on November 29, 2013. This was followed by a 'paddle out' of more than 100 surfers and their boards, from the adjacent beach to the waters where Buttons had practised his craft.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Matt Warshaw (2005). The Encyclopedia of Surfing. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 311. ISBN 978-0-15-603251-3.
  2. ""Buttons" Kaluhiokalani: the iconic progressive surfer of the 70s". Surfer Today. June 1, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Glenn Sakamoto (November 12, 2009). "Buttons Kaluhiokalani". Liquid Salt Magazine. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  4. Jason Borte. "Buttons Kaluhiokalani (March 30, 1959-)". Surfline. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  5. "Dog the Bounty Hunter Captures Hawaii Surf Legend Buttons". Surfing Today. May 14, 2007. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  6. Coen, Jon. "Surf legend Buttons Kaluhiokalani dies at 54 - X Games". Xgames.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  7. [Hawaii News Now|http://www.k5thehometeam.com/story/24100089/memorial-paddle-out-for-revolutionary-hawaii-surfer?clienttype=mobile]
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