Talk Story with an Advertiser: Kona Boys

Frank Carpenter and Brock Stratton are passionate about protecting the ocean and its sea life and are involved with several organizations working towards that goal. They have been proactive in helping to create voluntary standards for people and businesses to adopt, which educate everyone about the preservation of the coral reefs.

To learn more about caring for the ocean, please visit the Kona Boys website for links to the following organizations and projects:

• Coral Reef Alliance
• Sea•thos Foundation
• Defenders of Wildlife
• Surfrider Foundation
• Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund
• Surfrider Kona Kai Ea
• Kona Surf Film Festival
• West Hawaii Voluntary Standards

In 2000, Frank, now the co-owner of Kona Boys, left his job on the mainland to work for free at Kona Boys in Kealakekua to prove how wholeheartedly he believed in their brand. Brock, now Frank’s business partner, joined his longtime friend in the venture. Together, they built up the Kona Boys name, diversifying their services. Their goal is for people to have the best experience possible in the ocean, so they provide all the services available. Kona Boys has progressed over the years from giving tours to adding rentals, retail, and lessons.

Walking into the Kona Boys shop in Kealakekua, customers can find bathing suits made of recycled materials, Kona Boys brand clothing and hats, scuba gear, stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, maps, sunscreen, and many other products from local companies. Local artwork hangs on the walls. They are proud to support local people and businesses of Hawai‘i.

“People feel the significance of the products they are buying. They know that everything they are getting in the store is—in some way—helping people. It makes it more layered and important,” says Frank.

Through a serendipitous fax, Kona Boys found their second location, the shack on the beach at Kamakahonu Bay, in the heart of Kailua Village. Frank describes working in the shack as “where you have to be really reverent of the history and culture in order to be allowed to be in that spot. It’s an honor and responsibility to do any sort of operations on that sacred beach.”

If you haven’t experienced stand-up paddleboarding yet and want to see what it’s like, come to either location and rent a SUP for an hour or two. Kona Boys even offers kama‘āina rates!

Kona Boys Shop: 79-7539 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua • 808.328.1234
Shack: On the beach at Kamakahonu Bay, King Kamehameha Beach Hotel, Kailua-Kona • 808.329.2345
info@konaboys.com
KonaBoys.com