Give, Never Expect, and then Give Some More: The Jon Mozo Celebration

It looked like it was raining over Kualoa Ranch the entire drive over from Hale‘iwa. Rounding the bend, Chinaman’s Hat rose from the waters below the towering mountains, so rugged and beautiful, their rich green contrasting sharply with the gray rain clouds that hung heavy around their peaks. But all was awash in sunlight on the grounds below at Kualoa Ranch, which was swarming with people celebrating Jon Mozo’s legacy on Memorial Day.

Jon was a highly respected ocean photographer, surfer and family man. He risked his life many times to capture the intriguing forms of the ocean and all it encompassed. In 1993, Mozo was bitten by a tiger shark while surfing the East Side, paddled in on his own, and had to get 30 stitches to close up his foot. Yet Jon remained a humble and faithful admirer of the ocean’s power. He once said that that the ocean was the one consistent thing that had been there for him in his life. “Ironically it’s almost taken my life,” he said. “But at the same time, it’s given me life.”

The Jon Mozo Foundation

Tragically, on February 9, 2005, Jon suffered fatal head injuries while photographing Pipeline. And while most people remember Jon as a photographer, Chris Mozo, Jon’s younger brother, says that everyone in the community loved Jon for his inspiring nature.

“He radiated a good vibe to everyone,” Chris says. “He was never really competitive with anyone. He always supported people’s dreams and talents and all the small businesses. Jon’s a perfect example of selflessness. The more successful he became, the more he gave back. He always said, ‘Make an impact and be passionate about what you do.’ It’s a lifestyle. It’s values. All the other stuff doesn’t really matter.”

The only thing that seemed to matter on Memorial Day was enjoying loved ones. Live music, fun rides for the keiki, crafts and food were abundant as picnics sprinkled the lawn. Inside the visitor’s center, Jon Mozo’s art was on display and for sale. The day was a celebration of Jon’s legacy, as well as a fundraiser for the foundation his wife Nikki began after he passed.

—Tiffany Hervey