If you ask a Hawaiian what the “ABC” in “ABC Stores” stands for, they might tell you that it means, “All Blocks Covered”, no doubt with a wry smile and their tongues pressed firmly into their cheeks. If you’re a tourist in the area, there’s a good chance that you will have considered this question, …
ABC Stores in Hawaii History: What’s the Deal with ABC? Read More »
Charlie don’t surf is one of the most iconic movie quotes of all time. It comes from the Francis Ford Coppola film, Apocalypse Now, and it’s spoken by Colonel Kilgore, played by Robert Duvall. But what does the quote mean and what’s the story behind it? What Does “Charlie Don’t Surf” Mean? US soldiers referred …
Charlie Don’t Surf: The Story of The Movie Quote In “Apocalypse Now” Read More »
Jeff Spicoli is the protagonist in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a 1982 high school comedy that defined a generation and is still considered to be one of the funniest teen films ever made. Played by a 22-year-old Sean Penn, the character embodied the surfer stereotype, one associated with a carefree attitude and copious quantities …
The Shaka hand gesture is ubiquitous in surfing communities all over the world. Performed by tucking the three middle fingers into the palm, extending the thumb and pinky fingers, and waving back and forth, it’s a way of saying “everything’s okay”, “hang loose”, and “take care”, but it has also been used as a standard …
The Alaia was an ancient Hawaiian surfboard that had a round nose and a squared tail. Unlike modern surfboards, it didn’t have any fins on the underside of the board and as it was often made from koa wood, it was also quite heavy, averaging between 50 and 100 pounds. The Alaia board was often …
The word “Gnarly” is one of the most commonly used slang expressions in the surfing community. You will hear the word spoken by surfers after something surprising and amazing happens, but it can also have negative connotations. Like many slang words, its origins and its uses are far from straightforward! Early Gnarly Etymology Gnarly comes …
In Hawaiian, Aloha means “hello” and “goodbye” while Mahalo means “thank you”. But that’s really just the cliff notes and language is never that simple. These words actually mean a lot more than Google translate can convey, and it’s important to understand their meanings if you want to better acquaint yourself with Hawaiian culture. Aloha …
Understanding Aloha and Mahalo (and Other Hawaiian Words) Read More »
Surfboards break. It’s an unfortunate fact of life and something that can be hard to deal with. If you have owned a board for many years, it’s hard to accept that it has ridden its last wave. It has been by your side through countless wipeouts and gnarly rides. It’s been waxed, cleaned, protected, and …
What does “Haole” mean? Here’s the history and the mean of the word “haole”. The word “Haole” is used in Hawaii to describe a foreigner, someone who isn’t of Hawaiian or Polynesian descent. It’s similar to terms like “Gringo” and “Yank”, in that it has been used both descriptively and pejoratively. And just like those …
You’re So Haole You Don’t Even Know You’re Haole Read More »
As any rock fan can attest, music genres are pretty diverse and confusing. Is it heavy metal or hard rock? Is it Gothic or Glam; Grunge or Punk; Grindcore or Metalcore; Speed or Thrash, and what the hell is Space Metal? But some genres are much more clearly defined, and surf music is one of …
The Grom Life participates in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products. More about how we earn money as an affiliate.
Copyright © 2021 |