Running from Jan 1 to March 31, nominations for the prestigious Aloha Award are now open!
The Aloha Award
Founded in 2018 by Mark Hartmann, the purpose of the Aloha Award is to recognize, reward and support exceptional individuals in the global surf and ocean sports communities who, in addition to cultivating and sharing their joy of surfing or other ocean sports, are making meaningful contributions to the well-being of their communities.
Typically, these individuals are involved in or leading organizations whose mission is to protect the ocean or to harness its healing powers in the service of others (e.g., surf therapy and ocean conservation).
Such organizations may be large, registered non-profits or small, grassroots community-based initiatives.
There are no strict eligibility criteria for the Aloha Award other than a demonstrated commitment to living a life consistent with the principles of the Aloha Spirit.
However, most successful nominees have (a) a demonstrated commitment to spreading joy and stoke in the line-up, and (b) a track record of social or environmental activism, typically (but not exclusively) in the surf therapy or ocean conservation arenas.
Nomination Process
Nominations are accepted from the general public during a 3-month open nomination period between January 1 and March 31 of each year.
The deadline for nominations for the 2024 Aloha Award is March 31, 2024.
The call for nominations is publicized in the media and promoted by the judges and the award sponsor. You may submit a nomination by clicking on the Nomination Form on the website.
Nominations should make a case for why the nominee deserves to receive the award (e.g., attitude in the water, community engagement outside the water) and typically include relevant links to websites and social media profiles.
A nominee may receive multiple nominations, and may be nominated year-after-year, but that will not necessarily increase his/her/their chances of winning the award or being named a finalist.
Prizes
The winner of the Aloha Award receives a one-week, all-expenses paid trip (i.e., flights and accommodation) to Fiji’s premier water sports resort, Namotu Island, a donation of $10,000 to a charity or charitable endeavor of his/her/their choice, and a $2,500 stipend to either attend the International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO) conference or pay for for education-related expenses (e.g., online classes) intended to help the winner develop the capacity to scale his/her/their organization.
The runner-up also receives a one-week, all expenses paid trip to Namotu Island, a donation of $5,000 to a charity or charitable endeavor of his/her/their choice, and a $2,500 stipend to either attend the International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO) conference or pay for education-related expenses (e.g., online classes) intended to help the runner-up develop the capacity to scale his/her/their organization.
Each of the three remaining finalists receives a donation of $2,500 to a charity or charitable endeavor of his/her/their choice plus one online ticket to attend the ISTO conference.
The winner, runner-up and remaining finalists all receive personalized commemorative trophies.
Visit the thealohaaward.org for more information.