I have been going to California for the last 2 years to participate in the "Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle". After the first race on Sat we went to the KONA BREW beer tent , because Georgia didn't have her I D we couldn't go in. On Sunday after I did the 10 mile race, we headed back over to the beer tent. With I D in hand These 2 guys were checking the I D's and as I walked away one of the guy says........Billy Curry is that you and I turn around and its Geno!!!
I meet Geno in California in the early 70s. We both worked for Grant Reynolds. Grant owned "Bay Cites Glassing" and "Jacob Surfboards" in Hermosa Beach California. Grant was a great guy, he gave two young guys the opportunity work in his business and learn from him. Geno was glassing boards and I was working in the small retail shop California Company . At night I would glue stringers in the Clark preshape blanks.
One Sat nite in Sept while Geno was glassing boards, I went down to the liqueur store and got a 6 pack of beer. I had earlier that day received a letter from my friend Bill Cooper. Billy had moved to the north shore. His letter talked about surfing Sunset Point and the beauty of the island. The more we talked about it, the more we both agreed that we should go to Hawaii. Within 30 minutes we hatched the plan and in the next couple days we were on the plane with one way tickets in our hands and about 450.00.We got to Honolulu by taxi and bought a car for 350.00. As we headed out of town making our way through Pearl City up to Wahiwa. I still remember that look on Genos a face as he looks at me and says.... Hell Yea we made it!!!!!!! As we made our way down through the pineapple fields to Haliewa, we some how knew our lives would never be the same.
We made it to Kammies market out on the north shore and found a listing for a room for rent that was across the street.We drove the car across the street and it promptly decided to die! If it had not be for Geno I would have probably never moved to the Islands. Its In the islands that I met Georgia my wife of 37 years with 3 wonderful grown children and 1 grandson and soon to be granddaughter Kailia. That my friends is how this man changed my life thank you Geno!!!!
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