Kalani Vierra and Krystl Apeles were honored today on the Senate floor for winning the 2017 International Tandem Surfing Association (ISTA) championship at Kuhio Beach, Waikiki on August 24-25, 2017.

This tandem duo won the World Tandem Surfing Championships award in 2015 and they have a long history of successfully competing in the sport together. A documentary is currently being completed about their tandem surfing journey. Besides tandem surfing, both surfers are highly regarded in their communities. Kalani Vierra is a champion surfer and paddler, the Operation Chief of the Kauai Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau, and the recipient of the Quiksilver Waterman of the Year Award in 2004. Krystl Apeles is the owner of Puka Surf Company and the Manager/Brand Developer of Executive True Blue, Inc. Besides surfing, Krystl is an accomplished free diver, spear fisher, and hula dancer.