We were always blown away by the amazing talent of Buttons!!! He surfed the way we all wanted to surf!!! One of the Greatest Natural Surfers of all time. He, board and wave were as ONE !!! Bless him for his MARK on this PLANET !! Always remembered !!! Tony.
It was early 80's and the first time I surfed Kaiser Bowl. The waves were solid over head and as I paddled out from the inside bowl I saw this guy take off on the outside bowl, fully stall his board while digging his right hand into the wave and just got totally barreled on the take off. I just stopped paddling and sat up on my board and watched this guy stay in the tube all the way to the inside bowl, shoot out of the tube and kick out on the side of me. It was Buttons, he just looked at me with a small smile and paddled back out and shredded the waves. I began surfing there a lot and traded a howzit when I saw Buttons in the line up. One day me and a few other guys were lucky enough to catch the beginning of an overhead swell and surf Kaiser's before the crowd came out. I was taking off on the outside and figured I'm gonna pull the same stall move I saw Buttons do. I stuck my hand in the wave pulling water while I stalled my board and just got barreled on the takeoff and stayed barreled the whole wave until I kicked out on the inside bowl. To my surprise Button's was right there when I kicked out. He looked at me and said yeah, that's how. After that we talk story when ever we see each other. Learned a lot on how to master Kaiser Bowl by watching and rapping with Buttons. Aloha braddah Buttons, RIP.
Every video about buttons seems to overlook how much time he spent volunteering to give back to the community in his later years. He gave a lot of energy at programs for adaptive surfers, sharing his knowledge with volunteers and participants.
North Shore 1976 @ Rocky Point - Button's ripping it to the point that he finishes and ends up standing on dry reef. He was laughing so hard that it was contagious in the line up. RIP Buttons ! You made many smile with your style and attitude.
Im not even a surfer but Buttons had a big influence into skateboarding as well, he inspired Tony Alva or Jay Adams, maybe even the whole dogtown skate team. I really enjoy watching Buttons surf it seems so natural, so fluid. :) Rest in peace brother you will not be forgotten.
They're both unique man, theyre both innovative that is all I really have to say. Skaters would just try to rein-act these surfer moves. Buttons just seems to have complete feeling of freedom with his board, and thats what I like. Freespirits not sticking to other peoples approach of surfing, but creating their own.
Watching you surf was like watching an artist paint-beautiful, remarkable, pure joy. You were discovered because of your extraordinary talent in surfing, but you will be remembered for your gracious heart and your kind, gentle spirit. You were motivational because of your strength in recovery, something I find personally inspiring because I seek redemption and recovery every single day. Thanks for sharing your many gifts with the world, and for being a true inspiration to me and many others. Rest in peace and God bless your family.
Buttons lifted me up when I was down, protected me with veracity, even getting my stolen goods back. He never ever let me down. He even got me reading the Bible again. I miss my friend bad sometimes.
I remember meeting him when he was promoting da hui here in OZ nice guy. It’s sounds like his was hard at times. Wow what lovely surfer he was you was lucky to know him. And he looked out for you
I was at Upper Trestles in the mid 70's and Buttons, Mark Lydel and a couple of other Hawaiians walked up and sat in the same area. Not long Buttons came over and asked if I had any matches. I did and after a small moment Buttons asked if I like go burn with them. They shared their urb with me and them they suited up and went out. They all tore Uppers to pieces that afternoon. I was too high and small kine tired so I sat and watched. Buttons showed Aloha that day and it had a huge effect of me. I sill smile when I think about that afternoon. Aloha Nui Buttons.
timothy hendricks, That’s an awesome story. I started surfing in 1978 in Ormond Beach, Florida. I remember Buttons in surf movies in the local theatre. It was killer. Everyone lit up and burned in the theatre. We never got in trouble. I liked buttons switch stance and 360’s🏄🏄🏄👈🏻
Buttons is the innovator of modern surfing. He was like a time traveler coming from the future and showing everyone how people surfed in the future. I have yet to see someone do switch stance snap to this day.
I saw him at huge sunset back in 92 we were out on the shoulder and he dropped in on a freight train. Carved the hell out of it. I was honoured to see him being a Canadian surfer. This was cool to watch!
Buttons is my greatest and dearest surf hero. He is the most original, creative, soulful, pioneering and astonishing surfer EVER. While others like Slater are perhaps more enduring and athletic, none match the style and originality, express the essence and indeed the soul of surfing like Buttons did. He is the king of short board, single fin surfing. NOONE will ever, EVER match him. Besides perhaps William Shakespeare, he is the most original and enlightened in his field. May you rest well my hero, my brother.
Extremely nice man and a Legendary Surfer.....I met him at a neighbor's apartment in Huntington beach, back in the late 90's.......He will be forever missed and remembered.......
I’ve read about all the negative vibe back in that day toward visitors... but also heard how welcoming and encouraging Buttons was... a real reflection of the original vibe of surfing.
Wow.. just discovered Buttons. and he is gone. So he carved a 360 like no one else. I look forward to seeing more clips on him. Thanks to all who have taken the time to post about him on YT.
In 1980 while living in Hauula, Oahu I had the good fortune to live next door to and share time with Buttons mom, "T" Kaluhiohalani, a beautiful full blooded Hawaii woman, who taught me so much about the hawiian culture and much more. I will never forget our walks on the beach, gathering from the sea the makings of our lunch. While I swam out on the reef in front of our duplex spearfishing Buttons mom would gather edible seaweeds to garnish our meal. Fresh fish seaweed salad over a big pot of rice. Unreal. I don't know if she is still around, but if you are, I love you T.
Moved to Hawai’i ten years ago. Learned how to surf at Sunset. That wave is so heavy and complex. I learned how to surf at the age of 44 years old. Just sat in the channel watching the local Hawaiins do their thing. Amazing that Buttons surfed that wave the way he did. If you have never been there you have no idea what you’re even seeing. Just an absolute savant. God Bless Hawai’i.
My fondest memory of Buttons was him being the first person to teach me how to surf. I was about 5 years old at Waikiki beach and Buttons helped me up on my very first wave. It was a truly magical experience. RIP Buttons.
I met Buttons back in the seventies. I used to run "the Waikiki Free Paipo" at the Wall in Waikiki. Buttons was a young paipo boarder and one of the boys at the wall. The boys were from the area or got dropped off or caught the bus or rode their bikes to Kuhio beach and surfed and messed around all day. Buttons always had a pleasant mischief about him. I remember the entry blanks for the contest had a waiver that the parents had to sign. Buttons and the others would sign each others as there was rarely any parents at the wall. He would rip and win constantly. Like so many local surfers, he got his start at the Wall. I watched him thru out his career knowing he was "somebody" in the world of surfing. He surfed like a smooth Larry Bertleman.. He knew the waves and had wonderful sense of the waves and their energy. He was troubled with addictions but did what he could to educate it's drawbacks and undoubtedly saved many from drugs and their afflictions. Always good natured, Buttons brought alot the the surfing world and is missed. Thanks for the memories Buttons.
what an incredible futuristic surfing visionary. the lines he created on wave faces in the 80's, are reality now. but when he carved and drew them - he was one of a kind. looking back - its easy to spot the men who inspired a generation. buttons is definitely one of those creatives. sad he traveled the road of most poets and artists. it is incredible that he still inspires by the lines he drew. RIP - buttons your impact does not go unnoticed.
watching dog chapman capture buttons in his drug van broke my hart .. you could see the shame all over his face.. so glad he got to shine before his last wave..he gave us all so much and we took alot from him..tons of love and respect ..
I grew up surfing when Buttons was the stuff . He always amazed me in and out of the water. What a powerful server so ahead of his time what a great man trying to save others from his mistakes. I am 50 now and hope that younger Surfers will know who he is and that his memory lives on Cheers the buttons forever.
I had forgotten about him! Thanks for uploading and reminding me. I saw him a few times on television and movies back then, and as you've already mentioned, his style and particularly his change of pace made him stand out among the more well known names in the sport.
R.I.P Buttons! I will never forget surfing Chun's Reef with him in early December 2009. It was one of the greatest thrills of my 57 years to date on this planet. Buttons was a really nice guy and showed the spirit of Aloha to my wife and I who were visiting Hawaii for the first time.
When I was a grom I went to Town the summer of 78. Buttons, Bertleman, Liddell and Dane K. were doing things no one else in the world had thought of doing. There's never been a crew so far ahead of the rest of the best. The reason: spontaneity- you never knew what they were going to do. Today, guys are super radical, but they're relatively predictable. That's something no one could ever say about Buttons.
As a kid skateboarding in the valley, yeah a Val! I was blown away by Buttons style of surfing, smooth and flowing, building the foundation of today's high performance surfing! Epic!
I'm 57 now, and yes... he definitely influenced me as a young surfer. We thought he was the Jimi Hendrix of the shortboard. Rest in Peace Buttons... a legend forever.
I'll never forget the first time I saw Buttons surfing in the 1981 pipeline. He was tearing it up. Then when I saw him on Dog the bounty hunter It was very sad. A lot of people have had trouble with drug's. Myself included. RIP Buttons.
As a CB Florida surfer starting in the 70's, I always loved his smooth style. So sorry to hear of his and Tabeling's passing. I still ride one of Tabeling's early boards.
The one and only time I saw buttons in person was at the Malibu contest in the early 1980's. He was awesome! He won the contest on his final wave by doing 3 360's in a row. It was a big deal at that time in surfing! I can still remember the excitement that he created!!
Buttons was one of my favorite surfers growing up in the 80s. I was lucky enough to meet him once. He was super cool and did not hesitate to give me an autograph. He went down a very "popular" path in those days and payed the ultimate price. The world lost a true pioneer surf legend.
Buttons was my hero back when I started surfing in 70's and still is today! His style of surfing and his persona in my eyes represented who he was....a True Hawaiian!!!
In 1990, I surfed maalaea harbor with only 3 guys out. One of those people was Buttons. He was quite, just out getting some late morning waves, seemed super chill.
Button's surfing was fun and spontaneous and daring but it's the kind hearted gentleman that I remember most. He was fun and funny but it was that friendly smile and demeanor that I miss. How you say, friend of the friendless attitude and persona that made Butt's really great. Aloha Buttons, miss you.
I seen Buttons at Waikiki when I was a teenager ripping a rental tanker he must have been like thirteen and many times Buttons and Mark Liddel at Kaisers I met him later on in life and partied with him he was real never needed to prop himself up he was known anywhere he went royalty I love him and miss him
Buttons used to make me laugh. That's what I remember most. He was always himself and he was transparent. You always got the only "Buttons" Mark, you were like his "straight man" The 2 of you together was always priceless. I miss those days on the North Shore, I miss Mike Young, Malani, Buttons. Good memories, These guys will ALWAYS be loved and missed, and in some way, forever with us.
Buttons encouraged my daughter (who had CF and they met in Santa Cruz at a Mauli Ola surf day) to move to Hawaii, and when she got there, took her our surfing at Chun's and even offered her his sons room to live in. I only knew him a short while but he was nothing but giving and gracious during that time. I feel happy knowing they are in heaven together, along with my 2 sisters who passed away from heroin over doses, the same demon that haunted him. Thank you Buttons for a life of giving and education from experience. See you all soon :) ! RIP!
Buttons was a great guy. Back in 1978 or somewhere around that time, I had brought a 5.5 infinity twin fin back to Hawaii from San Diego. Buttons and I were out in the line up. He asked if he could try board! He ripped the HELL out of that thing! He was always a good guy. RIP brah!
used to surf kaiser's every day for years and remember Buttons and Mark dominating the bowl from the outside longshot to the classic kaiser bowl roundhouse cutback on the inside. RIP Butts
Buttons , Mahalo for sharing the spirit of free surfing lifestyle.So far ahead of his time , he lead the way to a new style of surfing , being one with the energy of the waves. ALOHA, rest brother. Jonny Souza , Santa Cruz
Close Friends of Buttons, I was honored to surf with buttons in Santa Cruz , always full of Aloha is buttons. I feel the loss , I can only imagine the loss you folks feel. Thanks to the friends who stood by Buttons and those who did their best to support him. Santa Cruz sends Aloha to the Family and Friends. We had you for awhile brother , you are forever in our lives and spirit."e hia'moe me ka Aloha Jonny and Lana Souza
I started surfing in 1978... Every time I’d see Buttons surf in a film my jaw would drop! Ya, Thompson, MR, Rabbit, LB and crew were amazing back in the day... but Buttons took surfing to a whole new level with style, power, finesse and innovation. We all have our demons! Just keep surfing as it allows us to keep those demons at bey for the duration of the session 🏄🏼♂️🤙
I'm his age. I remember all the old 16mm surf movies coming around every summer. Back in the seventies I remember in one movie seeing Larry Bertleman throw this cutback on a thin eight foot board going so fast he was able to ride right off the back of the wave and then deflect all that energy into recatching the wave and laying it back hard over and into a lipsmack. I thought it was the best cutback ever until in the early eighties when I saw footage of Buttons on the south shore pull the same maneuver going twice as fast on a wave that was twice as big and twice as hollow in water twice as shallow. Every obit lists all his drug use and none list all the movies he was in. It's just not right, that shi#s way too good to just disappear.
O'Brien remembers seeing Buttons at Mike Fourticq's house on Hudson in L.A. That was a fun house. So, O'Brien remembers Buttons saying, "the idea is to get deep in the barrel." Buttons also said, "it took ten years to get to where I am now" with his abilities of how to surf so well and with his sense of anatomy and the way that he shifted his weight. O'Brien remembers seeing Buttons bushy brown fluffy hair touch the top of the pitching barrel as he continued to maneuver so many waves, over and over, in his legendary time of love and life, and apparently in death. He will be remembered as a total pro at surfing. He probably like the song by The English Beat called Rough Rider. Buttons reminds me of the singer somehow. It's actually amazing when we human beings can see several people in one person somehow. Over the years of studying astrology at cafes in L.A. and reading about it, and studying faces, sometimes it's fun to guess several astrological signs that are in one person's astrological chart. Like the guy who narrated this, I see Sagittarius. Lastly, since the government thinks that I'm disabled because I'm hyperverbal, as you can see. This isn't funny but it was pretty gnarly, I got tied up against my will in Zurich in 1990 and the guy threatened to stab me to death. I thought that I was dead for sure, I was shitting, and saying fuck, how did I get into this position. O'Brien was crazy and tested what it meant to talk to strangers. O'Brien took thirty years to get over this, although when he was in Bali, he almost drowned and he got hit by a car twice, in Berkeley and in L.A. and apparently right now he likes to talk about himself. He writes some pretty hilarious stuff though and takes rad photographs. This is not an advertisement, but Patrick Neil Joseph O'Brien can be followed on Twitter. He also needs help dealing with the art in his studio in L.A. Thanks for being my psychotherapist. O'Brien fell in love with his psychotherapist in Beverly Hills and totally wanted her and she knew it and he told her.
I grew up with uncle butz in Kailua. We lost touch until later in the 90s on the north shore. We hung out at uncle Anthony's house. My kids loved him as I did. My boys grew up with Marvin Fosters kids. we miss you brother.
I heard it said once that "The Best Surfer in the world is the one who's having the most fun". That made me look at Buttons as the best surfer in the world.
Use to see him in Waikiki and seen him surfing V-land ripping it ,the things he did on those waves was crazy so glad I got to see it, seems like a nice guy wish I got to talk to him.😁
Shortly before Buttons got real sick, he sent me a thumb drive with some amazing footage of him surfing at back doors. The footage is all from a GoPro he had mounted on the front of his board. I am going to be pulling this footage out of storage soon and I will post it here on TH-cam. On this day, he is having an absolute blast. The waves are good and clean and the water is almost like glass. #OfTheEpic
Even though I grew up surfing in Southern California, Buttons was one of my favorite surfers along with that group of outrageous Hawaiian surfers that included the Ben Aipa boys. It’s a shame that his life was cut short but he surely was one of the pioneers of his time! I’m so glad that I got to see this video because I knew Buttons had passed away but I was uncertain of the reason why. I hope that he’s in surf heaven, riding the electro-magnetic waves that connect the galaxies together... Aloha, Kevin McCarthy🤙🏼🏄🏻✌🏼🌊🏄🏾🌟🪐💫🔥⭐️🌺
there are a few personalities who stand out among the already great multitudes of surfers whose soulfulness and spirit light up new vistas of the sport, and Buttons was one of them. a pioneer not only in the water, but out of it too, in his level of Aloha, even as he battled addiction, which he used as a teaching opportunity, its spirit like that which made him great. He was so full of life, i believe it broke his heart and his Aloha to have the corporate machine descend on him and screw him over in sponsorships, the money machine around the sport took from him without giving, and i think thats what broke his back where he turned to drugs. Still, he pulled himself together and was surfing and enjoying his family when his health caught up to him and took him, we went down as Buttons, living life to the full and lifting others.
I love the free ride crew, but Button's maneuvers are even better. Same with Larry Bertleman. Buttons was one of those surfers who provided competitive surfing with it's foundation for better judging in the future which unfortunately isn't rewarded in it's day and time. He seemed like a really nice guy, too. Spoke to him briefly at a party, so friendly and inspiring.
Yeh good stuff, I am older than Buttons would be, & am into fin pop 360's, but even after all this time am still trying to figure out how he carved steep backhand reo cutbacks then immediately followed up by popping the fin out. Buttons, surf physicist!
Wow....as grommet growing up in Oz there were many awesome surfers ,I observed the Pro surfers but while watching an old VHS there was a dude there,in the film....that was not PRO......but looked better,fresher and more exciting than any of them. And I know what I'm talking about. Super talented artists that do not get the true recognition they deserve. This was Buttons. Artist of the ocean... In form and style. What good days .
I saw Buttons at south shore during a nice south swell. My dad and I were pretty much parked next to him, but I was too young to know the significance of his status. I'll never forgive myself for not going up and shaking his hand.
I had one of his old local motion boards made for him mine wasn't ready so they gave me his. One of best boards I rode sill have picture doing air on it .glad I saved that one.
I surfed Queen's for a week in the summer of '73. Buttons and da boys: Kline, Mark, Dane, Michael, and other locals were ripping. In my 35 years of surfing, that one week was the most fun. It wasn't real big, just fun, offshore, as Queen's has two or three sections that tube, and it never seems to close out, warm water, and the other surfers are the best in the world.
I remember in the late 70s picking buttons up by pipeline hitchhiking towards Haleiwa- he was higher than a kite and happy- as I drive him past Laniakea- he said stop - sets were5’-7’ with 8’ bombs at the point- no one was out- he shook my hand, took his board off my rack and bid me farewell- I watched him paddle out to big Laniakea, with a Ben Aipa swallow tail- he lived the life of a true waterman-
Buttons could jam on the Harmonica just liked he surfed . I wish I still had videos of the Kaiser Surf Crew jamming in the parking lot with Buttons . They got lost when I moved house I searched for them for days . Aloha Buttons rest in peace and aloha .
He, Buttons, caught my Bus several times back in 2008 when was staying in the Diamond Head area, the braddah was still in top shape, I shared with him that back in the early 70's that he was the reason that me and a few of my surfer friends wouldn't enter the Inter scholastic surf meets of the day's, because he and Larry would win them and it would be a waste of our money to enter. He just laughed, but said it was true. If Button's was here today, Kelly Slater would have enjoyed inviting Button's to the Ranch to rip it up. Miss you Brother Button's, see you in Heaven.
I appreciate this meaningful narrative about buttons. I watched an unofficial shootout between him and Shaun T. at 8' off the wall in 1989. We were the only 3 there, I was on the beach. Each one would best the other, and both of them riding impossibly high up on the wave face inside the barrel, right next to the roof. It was a close contest, too close to call, but consider that Shaun Thompson was W. Champ at that time. You can't overstate how good buttons was.
Surfed with buttons and mark L . AT LANI 1974-1978 I was paddling out and saw buttons riding a couple ft over head wave going right he got way ahead of the wave did a cut back went into the tube the wrong way turned inside the tube an came out I was right there front row seat he was screaming did you see that he was way ahead of his time I will never forget that moment
Buttons is a legend. He busted down the door of radical, spanked it and made it his bitch!. The rest of us could only look on in amazement at his moves and it was only when the Twin Fin came out that we could even think about emulating his moves. R.I.P
We were always blown away by the amazing talent of Buttons!!! He surfed the way we all wanted to surf!!! One of the Greatest Natural Surfers of all time. He, board and wave were as ONE !!! Bless him for his MARK on this PLANET !! Always remembered !!! Tony.
It was early 80's and the first time I surfed Kaiser Bowl. The waves were solid over head and as I paddled out from the inside bowl I saw this guy take off on the outside bowl, fully stall his board while digging his right hand into the wave and just got totally barreled on the take off. I just stopped paddling and sat up on my board and watched this guy stay in the tube all the way to the inside bowl, shoot out of the tube and kick out on the side of me. It was Buttons, he just looked at me with a small smile and paddled back out and shredded the waves. I began surfing there a lot and traded a howzit when I saw Buttons in the line up. One day me and a few other guys were lucky enough to catch the beginning of an overhead swell and surf Kaiser's before the crowd came out. I was taking off on the outside and figured I'm gonna pull the same stall move I saw Buttons do. I stuck my hand in the wave pulling water while I stalled my board and just got barreled on the takeoff and stayed barreled the whole wave until I kicked out on the inside bowl. To my surprise Button's was right there when I kicked out. He looked at me and said yeah, that's how. After that we talk story when ever we see each other. Learned a lot on how to master Kaiser Bowl by watching and rapping with Buttons. Aloha braddah Buttons, RIP.
Kekoa Okalani amaizing story!! Thanks for sharing!
Buttons calling his own name "GO BUTTONS" or "Outside" and grabbing a 2 footer , Kaiser Bowl Master.
wow....that’s pretty special
Namaste Kekoa .
The coolest. The raddest. Smooth. Super stylish innovator. Good brother. There will never be another like him.
Every video about buttons seems to overlook how much time he spent volunteering to give back to the community in his later years.
He gave a lot of energy at programs for adaptive surfers, sharing his knowledge with volunteers and participants.
North Shore 1976 @ Rocky Point - Button's ripping it to the point that he finishes and ends up standing on dry reef. He was laughing so hard that it was contagious in the line up. RIP Buttons ! You made many smile with your style and attitude.
I remember that! Thanks for reminding me. He had such a great smile.
Im not even a surfer but Buttons had a big influence into skateboarding as well, he inspired Tony Alva or Jay Adams, maybe even the whole dogtown skate team.
I really enjoy watching Buttons surf it seems so natural, so fluid. :)
Rest in peace brother you will not be forgotten.
How was Button's influence different from Bertlemann in skateboarding?
They're both unique man, theyre both innovative that is all I really have to say. Skaters would just try to rein-act these surfer moves. Buttons just seems to have complete feeling of freedom with his board, and thats what I like. Freespirits not sticking to other peoples approach of surfing, but creating their own.
There will never be another who even comes close The True STYLE MASTER!!!
That’s a fact
Watching you surf was like watching an artist paint-beautiful, remarkable, pure joy. You were discovered because of your extraordinary talent in surfing, but you will be remembered for your gracious heart and your kind, gentle spirit. You were motivational because of your strength in recovery, something I find personally inspiring because I seek redemption and recovery every single day. Thanks for sharing your many gifts with the world, and for being a true inspiration to me and many others. Rest in peace and God bless your family.
"Many classic moments" changed my life forever
Buttons lifted me up when I was down, protected me with veracity, even getting my stolen goods back. He never ever let me down. He even got me reading the Bible again. I miss my friend bad sometimes.
I remember meeting him when he was promoting da hui here in OZ nice guy.
It’s sounds like his was hard at times.
Wow what lovely surfer he was you was lucky to know him.
And he looked out for you
I was at Upper Trestles in the mid 70's and Buttons, Mark Lydel and a couple of other Hawaiians walked up and sat in the same area. Not long Buttons came over and asked if I had any matches. I did and after a small moment Buttons asked if I like go burn with them. They shared their urb with me and them they suited up and went out. They all tore Uppers to pieces that afternoon. I was too high and small kine tired so I sat and watched.
Buttons showed Aloha that day and it had a huge effect of me. I sill smile when I think about that afternoon.
Aloha Nui Buttons.
timothy hendricks, That’s an awesome story. I started surfing in 1978 in Ormond Beach, Florida. I remember Buttons in surf movies in the local theatre. It was killer. Everyone lit up and burned in the theatre. We never got in trouble. I liked buttons switch stance and 360’s🏄🏄🏄👈🏻
dope tale ,nice
Buttons is the innovator of modern surfing. He was like a time traveler coming from the future and showing everyone how people surfed in the future. I have yet to see someone do switch stance snap to this day.
I saw him at huge sunset back in 92 we were out on the shoulder and he dropped in on a freight train. Carved the hell out of it. I was honoured to see him being a Canadian surfer. This was cool to watch!
Buttons is my greatest and dearest surf hero. He is the most original, creative, soulful, pioneering and astonishing surfer EVER. While others like Slater are perhaps more enduring and athletic, none match the style and originality, express the essence and indeed the soul of surfing like Buttons did. He is the king of short board, single fin surfing. NOONE will ever, EVER match him. Besides perhaps William Shakespeare, he is the most original and enlightened in his field. May you rest well my hero, my brother.
Extremely nice man and a Legendary Surfer.....I met him at a neighbor's apartment in Huntington beach, back in the late 90's.......He will be forever missed and remembered.......
Grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. Loved watching old videos of Buttons. Will stay with me all my life.
I still drop a tear every time I see a video of Buttons.
ONE LOVE !
I’ve read about all the negative vibe back in that day toward visitors... but also heard how welcoming and encouraging Buttons was... a real reflection of the original vibe of surfing.
Wow.. just discovered Buttons. and he is gone. So he carved a 360 like no one else. I look forward to seeing more clips on him. Thanks to all who have taken the time to post about him on YT.
Ahhh Bless his soul - but made his mark on this planet n even lft a huge family to carry on ^_^" Xoxo
I had the pleasure of meeting Buttons once and I liked him and we had a good visit. I felt lucky to get to see him surf in person! Aloha Buttons.
In 1980 while living in Hauula, Oahu I had the good fortune to live next door to and share time with Buttons mom, "T" Kaluhiohalani, a beautiful full blooded Hawaii woman, who taught me so much about the hawiian culture and much more. I will never forget our walks on the beach, gathering from the sea the makings of our lunch. While I swam out on the reef in front of our duplex spearfishing Buttons mom would gather edible seaweeds to garnish our meal. Fresh fish seaweed salad over a big pot of rice. Unreal. I don't know if she is still around, but if you are, I love you T.
Wow! That's super high performance surfing and with a single fin. He sure was talented. I like his style and the way he flows with the wave.
Moved to Hawai’i ten years ago. Learned how to surf at Sunset. That wave is so heavy and complex. I learned how to surf at the age of 44 years old. Just sat in the channel watching the local Hawaiins do their thing. Amazing that Buttons surfed that wave the way he did. If you have never been there you have no idea what you’re even seeing. Just an absolute savant.
God Bless Hawai’i.
My fondest memory of Buttons was him being the first person to teach me how to surf. I was about 5 years old at Waikiki beach and Buttons helped me up on my very first wave. It was a truly magical experience. RIP Buttons.
I met Buttons back in the seventies. I used to run "the Waikiki Free Paipo" at the Wall in Waikiki. Buttons was a young paipo boarder and one of the boys at the wall. The boys were from the area or got dropped off or caught the bus or rode their bikes to Kuhio beach and surfed and messed around all day. Buttons always had a pleasant mischief about him. I remember the entry blanks for the contest had a waiver that the parents had to sign. Buttons and the others would sign each others as there was rarely any parents at the wall. He would rip and win constantly. Like so many local surfers, he got his start at the Wall. I watched him thru out his career knowing he was "somebody" in the world of surfing. He surfed like a smooth Larry Bertleman.. He knew the waves and had wonderful sense of the waves and their energy. He was troubled with addictions but did what he could to educate it's drawbacks and undoubtedly saved many from drugs and their afflictions. Always good natured, Buttons brought alot the the surfing world and is missed. Thanks for the memories Buttons.
what an incredible futuristic surfing visionary. the lines he created on wave faces in the 80's, are reality now. but when he carved and drew them - he was one of a kind. looking back - its easy to spot the men who inspired a generation. buttons is definitely one of those creatives. sad he traveled the road of most poets and artists. it is incredible that he still inspires by the lines he drew. RIP - buttons your impact does not go unnoticed.
watching dog chapman capture buttons in his drug van broke my hart .. you could see the shame all over his face.. so glad he got to shine before his last wave..he gave us all so much and we took alot from him..tons of love and respect ..
I remember that with DTBH ,that was a sad one
Watching Buttons surf was one of the reasons that I fell in love with surfing...it was and is timeless
I grew up surfing when Buttons was the stuff . He always amazed me in and out of the water. What a powerful server so ahead of his time what a great man trying to save others from his mistakes. I am 50 now and hope that younger Surfers will know who he is and that his memory lives on Cheers the buttons forever.
I had forgotten about him!
Thanks for uploading and reminding me.
I saw him a few times on television and movies back then, and as you've already mentioned, his style and particularly his change of pace made him stand out among the more well known names in the sport.
We love you Buttons , thank you for all you did . Rest in Paradise .
R.I.P Buttons! I will never forget surfing Chun's Reef with him in early December 2009. It was one of the greatest thrills of my 57 years to date on this planet. Buttons was a really nice guy and showed the spirit of Aloha to my wife and I who were visiting Hawaii for the first time.
When I was a grom I went to Town the summer of 78. Buttons, Bertleman, Liddell and Dane K. were doing things no one else in the world had thought of doing. There's never been a crew so far ahead of the rest of the best. The reason: spontaneity- you never knew what they were going to do. Today, guys are super radical, but they're relatively predictable. That's something no one could ever say about Buttons.
As a kid skateboarding in the valley, yeah a Val! I was blown away by Buttons style of surfing, smooth and flowing, building the foundation of today's high performance surfing! Epic!
Buttons was my idol growing up in the late 70s i will think about him every time i catch a wave... RIP my. Soul surfing brother
I'm 57 now, and yes... he definitely influenced me as a young surfer. We thought he was the Jimi Hendrix of the shortboard. Rest in Peace Buttons... a legend forever.
This was before I was born but I heard of this guy from surfing documentaries and I was just blown away by his surfing.
I'll never forget the first time I saw Buttons surfing in the 1981 pipeline. He was tearing it up. Then when I saw him on Dog the bounty hunter It was very sad. A lot of people have had trouble with drug's. Myself included. RIP Buttons.
I had that same photo on the cover there of Buttons in my bedroom on the wall when I was 17. I'm 63 now. He was one great surfer.
As a CB Florida surfer starting in the 70's, I always loved his smooth style. So sorry to hear of his and Tabeling's passing. I still ride one of Tabeling's early boards.
I'm just sorry i never knew of this man
Can you imagine the big waves today they do now oh man
Surely he put everyone to shame
The one and only time I saw buttons in person was at the Malibu contest in the early 1980's. He was awesome! He won the contest on his final wave by doing 3 360's in a row. It was a big deal at that time in surfing! I can still remember the excitement that he created!!
Buttons was one of my favorite surfers growing up in the 80s. I was lucky enough to meet him once. He was super cool and did not hesitate to give me an autograph. He went down a very "popular" path in those days and payed the ultimate price. The world lost a true pioneer surf legend.
Buttons was my hero back when I started surfing in 70's and still is today! His style of surfing and his persona in my eyes represented who he was....a True Hawaiian!!!
In 1990, I surfed maalaea harbor with only 3 guys out. One of those people was Buttons. He was quite, just out getting some late morning waves, seemed super chill.
Button's surfing was fun and spontaneous and daring but it's the kind hearted gentleman that I remember most. He was fun and funny but it was that friendly smile and demeanor that I miss. How you say, friend of the friendless attitude and persona that made Butt's really great. Aloha Buttons, miss you.
Thank you epic T.V as one who knew the man, you touch on some very relative points!
I seen Buttons at Waikiki when I was a teenager ripping a rental tanker he must have been like thirteen and many times Buttons and Mark Liddel at Kaisers
I met him later on in life and partied with him he was real never needed to prop himself up he was known anywhere he went royalty I love him and miss him
Buttons used to make me laugh. That's what I remember most. He was always himself and he was transparent. You always got the only "Buttons" Mark, you were like his "straight man" The 2 of you together was always priceless. I miss those days on the North Shore, I miss Mike Young, Malani, Buttons. Good memories, These guys will ALWAYS be loved and missed, and in some way, forever with us.
Buttons encouraged my daughter (who had CF and they met in Santa Cruz at a Mauli Ola surf day) to move to Hawaii, and when she got there, took her our surfing at Chun's and even offered her his sons room to live in. I only knew him a short while but he was nothing but giving and gracious during that time. I feel happy knowing they are in heaven together, along with my 2 sisters who passed away from heroin over doses, the same demon that haunted him. Thank you Buttons for a life of giving and education from experience. See you all soon :) ! RIP!
Buttons was a great guy. Back in 1978 or somewhere around that time, I had brought a 5.5 infinity twin fin back to Hawaii from San Diego. Buttons and I were out in the line up. He asked if he could try board! He ripped the HELL out of that thing! He was always a good guy. RIP brah!
used to surf kaiser's every day for years and remember Buttons and Mark dominating the bowl from the outside longshot to the classic kaiser bowl roundhouse cutback on the inside. RIP Butts
Buttons , Mahalo for sharing the spirit of free surfing lifestyle.So far ahead of his time , he lead the way to a new style of surfing , being one with the energy of the waves. ALOHA, rest brother. Jonny Souza , Santa Cruz
Close Friends of Buttons, I was honored to surf with buttons in Santa Cruz , always full of Aloha is buttons. I feel the loss , I can only imagine the loss you folks feel. Thanks to the friends who stood by Buttons and those who did their best to support him. Santa Cruz sends Aloha to the Family and Friends. We had you for awhile brother , you are forever in our lives and spirit."e hia'moe me ka
Aloha Jonny and Lana Souza
Buttons was always the main guy who everyone loved in the 70s surf films we would go to at the Royal Hotel ... great days RIP
Very nice, thanks for making this.
I started surfing in 1978... Every time I’d see Buttons surf in a film my jaw would drop! Ya, Thompson, MR, Rabbit, LB and crew were amazing back in the day... but Buttons took surfing to a whole new level with style, power, finesse and innovation. We all have our demons! Just keep surfing as it allows us to keep those demons at bey for the duration of the session 🏄🏼♂️🤙
Just found out about him today. I love his hair and growing mine out into a fro- thicker and longer than last time. RIP Kaluhiokalani.
I'm his age. I remember all the old 16mm surf movies coming around every summer. Back in the seventies I remember in one movie seeing Larry Bertleman throw this cutback on a thin eight foot board going so fast he was able to ride right off the back of the wave and then deflect all that energy into recatching the wave and laying it back hard over and into a lipsmack. I thought it was the best cutback ever until in the early eighties when I saw footage of Buttons on the south shore pull the same maneuver going twice as fast on a wave that was twice as big and twice as hollow in water twice as shallow. Every obit lists all his drug use and none list all the movies he was in. It's just not right, that shi#s way too good to just disappear.
No doubt he was way, way ahead of his time. And yes, on a single fin. A hero of mine since I was a kid. Never forget his influence.
I miss you dad
Best Hawaiian surfer EVER.
The first person I ever saw go into a massive Pipeline barrel backside and come out Frontline. Amazing!
O'Brien remembers seeing Buttons at Mike Fourticq's house on Hudson in L.A. That was a fun house. So, O'Brien remembers Buttons saying, "the idea is to get deep in the barrel." Buttons also said, "it took ten years to get to where I am now" with his abilities of how to surf so well and with his sense of anatomy and the way that he shifted his weight. O'Brien remembers seeing Buttons bushy brown fluffy hair touch the top of the pitching barrel as he continued to maneuver so many waves, over and over, in his legendary time of love and life, and apparently in death. He will be remembered as a total pro at surfing. He probably like the song by The English Beat called Rough Rider. Buttons reminds me of the singer somehow. It's actually amazing when we human beings can see several people in one person somehow. Over the years of studying astrology at cafes in L.A. and reading about it, and studying faces, sometimes it's fun to guess several astrological signs that are in one person's astrological chart. Like the guy who narrated this, I see Sagittarius. Lastly, since the government thinks that I'm disabled because I'm hyperverbal, as you can see. This isn't funny but it was pretty gnarly, I got tied up against my will in Zurich in 1990 and the guy threatened to stab me to death. I thought that I was dead for sure, I was shitting, and saying fuck, how did I get into this position. O'Brien was crazy and tested what it meant to talk to strangers. O'Brien took thirty years to get over this, although when he was in Bali, he almost drowned and he got hit by a car twice, in Berkeley and in L.A. and apparently right now he likes to talk about himself. He writes some pretty hilarious stuff though and takes rad photographs. This is not an advertisement, but Patrick Neil Joseph O'Brien can be followed on Twitter. He also needs help dealing with the art in his studio in L.A. Thanks for being my psychotherapist. O'Brien fell in love with his psychotherapist in Beverly Hills and totally wanted her and she knew it and he told her.
He was badass!! waianae westside 96792🤙💯💪🇺🇸🌎🗽👍
I grew up with uncle butz in Kailua. We lost touch until later in the 90s on the north shore. We hung out at uncle Anthony's house. My kids loved him as I did. My boys grew up with Marvin Fosters kids. we miss you brother.
Met a family member of his. Never knew of Button K until I met this gentlemen
I heard it said once that "The Best Surfer in the world is the one who's having the most fun". That made me look at Buttons as the best surfer in the world.
Use to see him in Waikiki and seen him surfing V-land ripping it ,the things he did on those waves was crazy so glad I got to see it, seems like a nice guy wish I got to talk to him.😁
Shortly before Buttons got real sick, he sent me a thumb drive with some amazing footage of him surfing at back doors. The footage is all from a GoPro he had mounted on the front of his board. I am going to be pulling this footage out of storage soon and I will post it here on TH-cam. On this day, he is having an absolute blast. The waves are good and clean and the water is almost like glass. #OfTheEpic
Buttons , Dane ,Ben , Larry and Jerry , thank you so much
I met Him and his wife at Chun's Reef. Super nice, lots of Aloha. Him and Bertleman were my biggest influences.
Buttons is an eternal hero in surf's history pantheon.
buttons was my favourite surfer of all time, his skill level was 1000 years ahead of his time
I remember Buttons and Gerry Lopez and them back when I was around 13- 14 growing up in Hawaii. They were some of the best surfers around.
Me too. I lived at chuns reef with rory upstairs. These guys were in the back yard skating a ramp they built. Lopez. Buttons
Timeless legend and surfing, RIP Buttons
Even though I grew up surfing in Southern California, Buttons was one of my favorite surfers along with that group of outrageous Hawaiian surfers that included the Ben Aipa boys. It’s a shame that his life was cut short but he surely was one of the pioneers of his time! I’m so glad that I got to see this video because I knew Buttons had passed away but I was uncertain of the reason why. I hope that he’s in surf heaven, riding the electro-magnetic waves that connect the galaxies together... Aloha, Kevin McCarthy🤙🏼🏄🏻✌🏼🌊🏄🏾🌟🪐💫🔥⭐️🌺
there are a few personalities who stand out among the already great multitudes of surfers whose soulfulness and spirit light up new vistas of the sport, and Buttons was one of them. a pioneer not only in the water, but out of it too, in his level of Aloha, even as he battled addiction, which he used as a teaching opportunity, its spirit like that which made him great. He was so full of life, i believe it broke his heart and his Aloha to have the corporate machine descend on him and screw him over in sponsorships, the money machine around the sport took from him without giving, and i think thats what broke his back where he turned to drugs. Still, he pulled himself together and was surfing and enjoying his family when his health caught up to him and took him, we went down as Buttons, living life to the full and lifting others.
This dude and Christian Fletcher are two of my favorite surfers of all time
Buttons touch so Many of our Hearts ! Aloha
I love the free ride crew, but Button's maneuvers are even better. Same with Larry Bertleman. Buttons was one of those surfers who provided competitive surfing with it's foundation for better judging in the future which unfortunately isn't rewarded in it's day and time. He seemed like a really nice guy, too. Spoke to him briefly at a party, so friendly and inspiring.
I was paddling out at Chuns Reef and Buttons was there. Smilin' and cool to everyone.
Buttons was the greatest RIP forever in that endless sea bro
Mahalo Buttons! Rest well.
Yeh good stuff, I am older than Buttons would be, & am into fin pop 360's, but even after all this time am still trying to figure out how he carved steep backhand reo cutbacks then immediately followed up by popping the fin out. Buttons, surf physicist!
Buttons stayed at my house when he came to Galveston in 70s him my Dad and my uncle George was good friends RIP to my pops I miss him
Wow....as grommet growing up in Oz there were many awesome surfers ,I observed the Pro surfers but while watching an old VHS there was a dude there,in the film....that was not PRO......but looked better,fresher and more exciting than any of them. And I know what I'm talking about. Super talented artists that do not get the true recognition they deserve. This was Buttons. Artist of the ocean... In form and style. What good days .
I saw Buttons at south shore during a nice south swell. My dad and I were pretty much parked next to him, but I was too young to know the significance of his status. I'll never forgive myself for not going up and shaking his hand.
I had one of his old local motion boards made for him mine wasn't ready so they gave me his. One of best boards I rode sill have picture doing air on it .glad I saved that one.
I surfed Queen's for a week in the summer of '73. Buttons and da boys: Kline, Mark, Dane, Michael, and other locals were ripping. In my 35 years of surfing, that one week was the most fun. It wasn't real big, just fun, offshore, as Queen's has two or three sections that tube, and it never seems to close out, warm water, and the other surfers are the best in the world.
I remember in the late 70s picking buttons up by pipeline hitchhiking towards Haleiwa- he was higher than a kite and happy- as I drive him past Laniakea- he said stop - sets were5’-7’ with 8’ bombs at the point- no one was out- he shook my hand, took his board off my rack and bid me farewell- I watched him paddle out to big Laniakea, with a Ben Aipa swallow tail- he lived the life of a true waterman-
I had chance to get one of his Ben Aipa shaped board months ago it sold and I was bummed
Buttons could jam on the Harmonica just liked he surfed . I wish I still had videos of the Kaiser Surf Crew jamming in the parking lot with Buttons . They got lost when I moved house I searched for them for days . Aloha Buttons rest in peace and aloha .
One of my ideals in the 80s
He, Buttons, caught my Bus several times back in 2008 when was staying in the Diamond Head area, the braddah was still in top shape, I shared with him
that back in the early 70's that he was the reason that me and a few of my surfer friends wouldn't enter the Inter scholastic surf meets
of the day's, because he and Larry would win them and it would be a waste of our money to enter. He just laughed, but said it was true.
If Button's was here today, Kelly Slater would have enjoyed inviting Button's to the Ranch to rip it up. Miss you Brother Button's, see you in Heaven.
Buttons looks Free!!? Everybody else is owned!! Sponsored surfing is boring!! Now we’re in Kelly’s Pool! So sad!!
R.i.p. Buttons🏄
Nicely said…👍😊 & enjoyed the stories ⬇️ ✌️
Seen him tow chopes. He said he was super scared on the plane. My uncle is his old best friend. He used to be almost as good too!
I appreciate this meaningful narrative about buttons. I watched an unofficial shootout between him and Shaun T. at 8' off the wall in 1989. We were the only 3 there, I was on the beach. Each one would best the other, and both of them riding impossibly high up on the wave face inside the barrel, right next to the roof. It was a close contest, too close to call, but consider that Shaun Thompson was W. Champ at that time. You can't overstate how good buttons was.
1979
Surfed with buttons and mark L . AT LANI 1974-1978 I was paddling out and saw buttons riding a couple ft over head wave going right he got way ahead of the wave did a cut back went into the tube the wrong way turned inside the tube an came out I was right there front row seat he was screaming did you see that he was way ahead of his time I will never forget that moment
Buttons is a legend. He busted down the door of radical, spanked it and made it his bitch!. The rest of us could only look on in amazement at his moves and it was only when the Twin Fin came out that we could even think about emulating his moves.
R.I.P
This is Great!
He was my friend i miss him.