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  Photo courtesy of Hi-Tech

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  Photo courtesy of Hi-Tech

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  Photo courtesy of Hi-Tech

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  Photo courtesy of Hi-Tech

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  Photo courtesy of Hi-Tech

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  Photo courtesy of Hi-Tech

 

Important industry account Hi-Tech Surf Sports has opened a fifth store on Maui.

It is the retailer’s first store attached to a hotel – the Westin Maui Resort.

“Even though we’ve never done a resort store, we thought it was a great opportunity to open adjacent to a cool pool area and Kaanapali Beach,” Hi-Tech Owner Kim Ball said. “The Westin did a full remodel of the reception lobby, pools, restaurants, and retail area. There is no other ‘surf shop’ on Kaanapali Beach. I have got to say, the Westin crew has been super accommodating.”

Brands carried at the new store include Vissla, Billabong, Katin, Sisstr, Rhythm, Acacia, Carve, Vuori, Raen, Madson, I-Sea, Melin, and Slowtide, in addition to Hi-Tech branded clothing and accessories.

“We did 40th anniversary collaborations with Vissla and Billabong which are available there as well,” Kim said. “Kaanapali Point is skimmable and rideable, so we have skimboards, bodyboards, and some local longboards shaped by Hans Vandervoort.”

Inside, all the wood siding, wood shelves, corrugated tin, and wood for the floor fixtures are repurposed Maui material. The koa display tables were repurposed from the former Quiksilver store on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, Kim said.

The store also features 18 vintage surfboards on display and surfboards from longtime shop riders Kai Lenny and Imaikalani DeVault. Among the other display items are original surf movie posters, vintage skateboards, vintage postcards, surf books and magazines.

SES took the opportunity to also ask Kim how business is going at the moment.

“Business, companywide, for the most part, has still been pretty strong this past year,” he said.

 

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