Instagram story viewer> @eli_olson> Tagged

Eli Olson

@eli_olson

81.7K

followers

887

following

•Stunts
•2020 XXL Redbull / WSL Paddle Champion
•Hawaii / Tahiti Regional Champion
•Jiujitsu Black belt
👇🏽Hit the link!!

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Few from a couple weeks back, pretty tricky conditions 🔥
@nathan_florence @eli_olson @ivanflorence_ @kiron_jabour

88

0

God is Good🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

#godisgoodallthetime #chosenvesselsnhis #worship #nānākuli #jesusislord

45

2

Core crew

#Surf #core #y2k #wsl #surfedits

91

5

#INDIGENOUSPEOPLESDAY

Sometimes you forget who you are, lose connections to your roots, and your crown slips. Our society makes it easy, and my life has reflected that. There are times I don’t feel good or knowledgeable enough to claim any of my kin.

But the world is waking up to how deeply embedded colonialism is. I lived and learned about being displaced and assimilating to survive. I talked to my parents for hours about how my elders lived and passed away. Falling in love, joining the military, working countless jobs, immigrating, constantly moving, grieving homes and loved ones gone. All trying to make the best decisions for themselves and for family despite systemic barriers and trauma.

So I straightened my crown 👑🌺 I am proudly descended from Sāmoa on my dads side, Okinawa (Japan) on my moms side and born and raised in Hawai’i (home to Kānaka Maoli) where many other indigenous people and cultures find refuge and beautifully blend together. I honor my ancestors in the way I love, break generational curses, build community, be of service to others and uplift those around me. I create a feeling of home for those who know what it’s like to lose one.

I am a daughter of the Pacific Ocean. Never not enough, always ALL. I don’t fit into anyone’s boxed perception of me, and I don’t want to. TRUE history and our languages can be learned if we lean into it, thanks to resources our elders did not have (and fought for.) And I carry our royal lineage, healing and heart within me everywhere I go ❤️‍🔥

My great grandfather in Faga’itua (a village in Tutuila, American Samoa.) His name is Tuli Le’iato, and he was a Paramount Chief. A strong leader and light for many generations 🤍

My Papa (grandfather) in O’ahu, Hawai’i. His name is Charlie Arizumi, and he was first in our bloodline (Japanese American) to graduate from college. Third generation living in Hawai’i, descended from plantation and labor workers. He was a dentist. And he is still loved and missed deeply by many 🤍

And this last one’s a reminder for me and all my queens. No, it’s not AI, it’s just island girl tingz 🤪🤙🏽

As a hopeless romantic, I know I stay pissing off my ancestors because Jason Momoa

3

23

2026 was a blessed summer 🙏🏽🎣 #HawaiianStyle #OahuStillGetFish

912

57

JUST CONFIRMED — $25,000 APPRAISAL

With only hours remaining in the Hank Foto Memorial Auction, we have just received confirmation from legendary surf historian, collector and appraiser Randy Rarick to use his $25,000 appraisal for End of the Road.

This one-of-one sculpture was created by Ruben Aira Jr. from one of Hank Foto’s personal surfboards — carrying Hank’s history, the North Shore, and now a purpose far beyond the artwork itself.

APPRAISED VALUE: $25,000
CHARITY AUCTION STARTING BID: $5,000
100% OF PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO FENDER

BIDDING CLOSES TODAY AT 6 PM HST.

If you have been watching, this is the moment.

If you know the collector who should own this piece, send this directly to them now.

https://hankfotomemorial.betterworld.org/

Please bid. Please share. Let’s knock this one out of the ballpark for Hank and Fender.

3

0

8

0

High school was an interesting time for me, but I’m sure most people could say that. I came in with the preconceived notion that I was going to be a photographer. That was it. No four year plan, no scholarship applications. I was going to follow in my Dads footsteps. I walked into photo class with quite an array of work already, and his Canon 20D with a broken fisheye lens hanging around my neck.

I remember people hinting at how lucky I was for the equipment I had, completely unaware of the price it cost me or the weight I felt carrying that camera body around.

Every time photo contests came around, I knew at least one of my shots would get picked to hang in the capitol, Aulani, or wherever. But when Scholastics came around, that was the big one. The one that actually mattered to me. I was confident I had that golden key in the bag.

I submitted my portfolio early, and when the results dropped and I wasn’t selected, I was genuinely confused. Only one portfolio from our class made it. When I looked at his photos, they were mostly abstract shots from around his house—but he used a narrative to build a story around them. Looking back at my old photos and what I wrote back then, I cringe a little. Mostly at my writing. I had just thrown my best shots together and basically said “This is what my life looks like” talking about having photography around me my whole life and wanting to continue my Dads legacy.

That’s when I realized you can’t just take pretty photos. There needs to be a story. Depth. I know I haven’t been the best at telling my story throughout my life, but I’m telling it now. I’m not going to just let my photos do the talking.
#hawaii #surf #skate #canon canon20d

67

13

Throw back to the biggest swell of the year so far 🤯🤙🏾

Featuring:
@nathan_florence
@eli_olson
@adz0007
@reisshunt

97

3

This was the moment the tribute surfboard was revealed at Hank’s paddle out on September 26.

Seeing Ruben’s work in person, surrounded by Hank’s family, friends, and people whose lives he touched, was something special. It wasn’t just a surfboard. It held so much love, so many memories, and a piece of Hank’s story.

The tribute surfboard is now up for auction, with bidding open through October 6 at 6:00 PM HST.

Bid here:
https://hankfotomemorial.betterworld.org/auctions/hank-foto-memorial-surfboard

Please share this with anyone who knew Hank or whose life was touched by his work. 🤍

#HankFoto #HankFotoMemorial #PaddleOut #SurfingCommunity #HawaiiSurfing

31

6

@eli_olson

60

0

Great Barrier Reef YouTube is live!!

Do you think @midgetmagic will get invited to the bbq? 😂

#themadhueys

222

6