Dave Elliott
Air Force Retired
Hello fellow HMSO comrades,
My name is David Elliott and I have been associated with the HMSO since Spring 1995. I was in the Air Force and stationed on Hickam, AFB. My neighbor, John, dragged me to an HMSO meeting one evening after work. It was cool. I met some of the old timers who were in the club at that time. I remember them as the most hardcore surfers I had ever met. They had been around the world in the military, had surfed everywhere in between and their dark brown, leather skin proudly showed all of it. Kevin O’Connell was taking over the club from the guy running it then. After that meeting, I don’t remember seeing most of those hardcore guys ever again. A new faction had taken over. It only took one meeting and I knew I had to be a part of it.
Over the years, I helped more and more. We had great surf sessions, great trips to Kauai, and made great friends. We cleaned some beaches, held some contests and did as much as we could to be a cohesive unit. I am still very proud of the times hanging out with the HMSO. I hosted and developed the HMSO website, and still do. (Actually Megan does for me).
When Mike Fulcher and I left Hawaii, the HMSO died a quick death. It was sad but there was little I could do while stationed in South Dakota.
Today, I am retired from the Air Force and living in the Seattle area. I still travel to Hawaii once a year and the silent yet powerful draw to the waves call me every day. I run my eco car care product company and hope that future success will bring me back to the islands again someday.
I was stoked to know that Chaz was starting the club back up again and I offered my services. If anyone could do it, he could. Now I can live vicariously through Chaz as an active member of the HMSO. Please support this club. It has a rich, vibrant history that dates back to 1969. 1000’s of people have filtered through the HMSO over 40 years. Every one of them got something from it. I hope you do as well.
Aloha
