World Surfing Champ and Olympian Carissa Moore Writes Her Own Book of Gold 

Anyone who meets Carissa Moore immediately feels her warmth and bright spirit. The humble athlete grew up surfing on Oʻahu’s south shore.

But Moore is a house-hold name in the Islands. The professional surfer has spent the last 14 years competing on the World Surf League Championship Tour and during this time she’s clenched an impressive five world titles. In 2021, she became the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in her sport’s debut at the Games.

While preparing to compete at the upcoming Summer Games, Moore is sharing her own gold. The surfer makes a remarkable tribute to the sport’s legacy in the Islands with her new book, “Hawaiʻi Gold: A Celebration of Surfing.” 

“I want to use this moment to celebrate Hawaiʻi and celebrate the people that have put surfing in Hawaiʻi on the map,” Moore tells me at a coffee shop in Honolulu, Oʻahu. “I wouldn’t be who I am today, as a woman and as an athlete, without the community, the waves, the people, the place where I was raised. That’s what the book is about—celebrating this place.”

Courtesy of Rizzoli New York

Available for purchase this April, “Hawaiʻi Gold” is a compilation of enthralling tales and breathtaking photography. Through these pages, Moore chronicles the ways in which the waves and local community have shaped her own story. With vivid anecdotes and remarkable images, readers get a glimpse into the close-knit circles bonded by the surf. 

“I love to scrapbook, I love photos and I love things that are tangible,” Moore explains. “So, being able to put a book together of all the images that tell the story of home and the things that are most important to me, is really cool.”

With her humble spirit and deep love for her island home, Moore creates a book that goes beyond just her experiences. She invites members of her family and fellow surfers from Hawaiʻi—including role models, peers and competitors—to paint their own portraits of growing up in the Islands’ waves. Legendary surf lineages including the Aikau, Moniz and Ho families contribute tales, along with athletes representing Hawaiʻi and dominating the Championship Tour like John John Florence and Zeke Lau. Underlining the breadth of the sport, big-wave surfers Kai Lenny, Laird Hamilton and Keala Kennelly also chronicle captivating stories of chasing monstrous waves. The lineup of contributors in “Hawaiʻi Gold” reflects how the Islands have always been and continue to be the epicenter of surfing. 

“I think it’s often forgotten that surfing started in Hawaiʻi and it’s Hawaiʻi’s sport. Going through the Olympic process, I found so much more pride for where I’ve come from, my culture, and all the people that came before and paved the way,” Moore says, noting the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku, the first native Hawaiian to compete in the Olympic Games and win a gold medal. “It’s important to pay respect and acknowledge where we come from and all the people that have come before. We learn from them, to go forward.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Carissa Moore (@rissmoore10)

The riveting stories in “Hawaiʻi Gold” are paired with incredible images by established photographers as well as rising talent. Trevor Moran captured the cover shot, while photos by Jim Russi, Ryan Miller, Jackie Fiero, Alana Spencer and more grace the pages. Moore is excited for readers to experience these one-in-a-life-time moments that have been paused in time. She’s also thrilled to share quintessential images of Waikīkī, the shores where she learned to surf. “When I look at them I just smile because it reminds me of growing up here.”

A young Carissa Moore, surfing in Waikīkī.
Photo: Courtesy of Carissa Moore/Paul Teruya

With her passion for the sport and the Islands, Moore describes the book’s palette as rainbow themed. “I always think of Hawaiʻi with rainbows, so there’s rainbow colors throughout the book,” Moore says with a laugh.  

While Moore exudes an incredible warmth and ease, she also carries a fierce competitive spirit. It’s part of the reason Moore has been instrumental in propelling women’s surfing.

“It’s been tremendous to see the growth, the evolution and the progression,” Moore says, describing women’s professional surfing. 

Moore was a high school senior at Punahou School during her rookie year on the WSL Tour. She had to balance competing at the highest level while finishing high school. 

Quickly into her career, Moore learned how critical it is to return to her roots at home while also building systems of support wherever she is in the world. 

Moore recalls, “My first two events on tour I was doing so poorly and could not figure it out. My dad was like ‘What’s going on?’” At her next competition, which was held in New Zealand, Moore and her dad connected with a local boardriders club. The goal was to learn the ocean conditions from the athletes that know them best and also build camaraderie. Moore remembers, “I quickly found it so empowering to surf for something bigger than myself. All the pressure and anxiety about living up to expectations disappeared because it was about love and knowing the team was there for me regardless of the outcome.” It was in New Zealand where Moore won her first event on tour. 

The surfer shares this experience in “Hawaiʻi Gold” because it was such an influential moment. To this day, wherever Moore is competing in the world, she works with local coaches from the area. She explains that, “not only do they have incredible wisdom and knowledge and years of experience there, but I love the aspect of finding family, finding community, creating relationships and doing it together.”

It’s a similar support she feels while at home in Hawaiʻi and what she wants to provide in return. “It’s that idea of being of service to others and being kind. Those are all things that have resonated with me from home and those are things I’ve tried to do my whole career and hopefully I can continue to do as I grow and evolve.”

This is a major transition year for Moore as she plans to evolve past the sport. In January, she announced she will be taking a step back from competing full-time after the Olympic Games. But for now, Moore is focused on defending her gold medal at Teahupo’o in Tahiti, where the surf competition in the Summer Games will take place.

Moore has earned her spot as one of the best surfers in the world and knows the most effective way to prepare is to spend time in the water. Moore plans to compete at the Shiseido Tahiti Pro in May, which will be a great opportunity to practice. The wave at Teahupo’o is different from the wave at the previous Olympic Games in Japan. The wave is a big powerful, left with an intimidating reef break. 

Unlike other sports, surfers also have to navigate Mother’s Nature’s own whims, handing out unknown conditions.

“It’s the beauty and beast of the sport,” Moore admits. “It’s something that makes it incredibly beautiful because when it does all come together, you know something magical happens. When you finally find that flow, there’s nothing in the world like it. That’s what makes it so much more special when you’re working with Mother Nature.”

It’s the same reason which can often make surfing infuriating, too. Moore confesses she’s still learning to let go of the factors she can’t control. “You have to trust and have faith regardless of the outcome and doubts that creep in. It’s still challenging and I still have to work at it.”

Faith and confidence are values Moore is trying to help instill in young female athletes through her foundation Moore Aloha. 

In 2018, Moore recalls feeling in a competitive slump. “I was struggling to find motivation, joy and happiness in what I was doing,” she admits. “I felt like I was just going through the motions and didn’t feel driven with purpose and passion.” 

Again, Moore’s dad encouraged her to connect with the community and be of service to others. That year, the professional surfer started Moore Aloha. “I wanted to create more opportunities for girls to get in the water, to step outside of their comfort zone, to empower women, and to also create a safe space to be vulnerable.” 

The surfer is committed to helping provide girls and women with resources she’s gained on her career and journey. The foundation provides mentorship and resources to navigate mental health, wellness and helps females find purpose. “I hope through the intimate experiences that we provide, through the events, programs, monthly prompts, the girls are able to become a little more conscious and leave them with at least one thing that inspires or empowers them,” Moore says.

Moore’s portion of the “Hawaiʻi Gold” will be donated to Moore Aloha. “It’s not just a pretty coffee table book, but you’re paying it forward,” she adds. “I really do hope the book sparks joy.”

To purchase “Hawaiʻi Gold” online, visit https://www.rizzoliusa.com/buy-online. To learn more about Moore Aloha, visit moorealoha.com.

Join Carissa Moore for a discussion about “Hawaiʻi Gold” on Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Ala Moana Mall. Discussion will be moderated by HAWAIʻI Magazine contributor Grace Maeda, followed by opportunities for Moore’s signature and photos.