Montgomery Ernest Thomas Kaluhiokalani (March 30, 1958 – November 2, 2013) was a surfer from Hawaii, known as Buttons. He was an innovator of modern surfing maneuvers and was known for his switch foot surfing and for performing the first backside 360 in a major surf film.

Surfer Magazine ''Surfer'' is an American quarterly magazine periodical focused on surfing and surf culture, founded in 1962 by noted surfer, writer, photographer, artist and humorist John Severson (1933–2017). The magazine went on hiatus from 2020 until Augus ...

called him one of the most influential surfers of all time, and he has been described by ''Surfer Today'' as a "surf legend."

Early life

Born Montgomery Ernest Thomas Kaluhiokalani in Honolulu, his father was an army serviceman and his mother was a bartender. When he was five, his mother moved with him and his two brothers to Waikiki, where his grandmother gave him his nickname, saying that the tight curls of his hair looked like "buttons" attached to his head.

Career

Kaluhiokalani was active from the 1970s onwards. In 1973 he came second in the Boys' Division of the United States Surfing Championship. At the age of 21 he competed in the

Pipeline Masters The Pipe Pro is an event in surfing held annually at Banzai Pipeline in Oahu, Hawaii. It was established in 1971 and has been sponsored by Yeti Coolers, who have a three year partnership in place, which began in 2023. The event attracts the top ...

and Sunset World Cup. In 1979 he won the Malibu Pro; he also came third in the 1975 Pro Class Trials, third in the 1981 Pro Class Trials, third in the 1981 Pipeline Masters, and first in the 1981

Peru International The Peru International or Peru Challenge is an open international badminton tournament in Peru Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by ...

Drug problems

In 2009, Buttons described himself as a "recovering drug addict" who had been sober for three years. His drug problems began in 1985 with cocaine; he returned to surfing in 1996 but was arrested in 1998, although charges were later dropped. In 2007 he featured on the TV show ''

Dog the Bounty Hunter ''Dog the Bounty Hunter'' is an American reality television series which aired on A&E and chronicled Duane "Dog" Chapman's experiences as a bounty hunter. With a few exceptions, the series took place in Hawaii or Dog's home state of Colorado ...

'' after being arrested for drug offenses. He recovered from his drug problems and started his own surf school on Oahu's North Shore. Buttons also gave lessons to the disabled and made multiple PSA videos encouraging adults and youth alike to stay off of drugs.

Personal life

Buttons was named after actor

Montgomery Clift Edward Montgomery Clift (October 17, 1920 – July 23, 1966) was an American actor. A four-time Academy Award nominee, he was known for his portrayal of "moody, sensitive young men", according to ''The New York Times''. He is best remembered f ...

. He had 8 children and 9 grandchildren. Kaluhiokalani died on November 2, 2013, due to complications from lung cancer. He was 55 years old. A memorial service was held at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki on November 29, 2013. This was followed by a 'paddle out' of more than 100 surfers and their boards, from the adjacent beach to the waters where Buttons had practiced his craft. http://www.k5thehometeam.com/story/24100089/memorial-paddle-out-for-revolutionary-hawaii-surfer?clienttype=mobile/ref>

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaluhiokalani, Montgomery 1958 births 2013 deaths American surfers Sportspeople from Honolulu Surfers from Honolulu County, Hawaii Deaths from lung cancer in California Native Hawaiian surfers