Brian L. Keaulana
Makaha, Hawaii

Brian Keaulana, 46, is one of the world’s most renowned watermen and ocean safety experts. He revolutionized the ocean rescue field with innovative use of personal water craft in the early 1990s. The techniques he developed as a lieutenant with the City and County of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety Division are in use today by every respected surf rescue organization in the world. Brian has gone on to become one of the most sought-after water safety and aquatic stunt performers in the world. He has worked on more than 20 major motion pictures and runs Hawaiian Water Patrol, Inc. from his hometown of Makaha on Oahu’s West Side. 

He was awarded the U.S. Lifesaving Association’s Medal of Honor for a famous rescue on the Waianae Coast in 1994.

He is a world-renowned instructor on ocean risk management, ocean survival and underwater self defense. He travels frequently to the Mainland, Japan, Australia, the South Pacific, Latin America, South America and Europe. He pioneered the use of rescue craft and invented a rescue sled to attach to jet skis for high surf rescues. He was honored at the 1991 In Memory of Eddie Aikua Waimea Bay surf contest with the Quiksilver Eddie Aikua Waterman Award. Brian has won more than 500 awards for surfing, canoe surfing, body boarding, body surfing, tandem surfing and sailing. He is a Screen Actors Guild card-carrying actor, stuntman, stunt coordinator and director.

Perhaps the world’s pre-eminent expert in big-surf safety and rescue techniques, Brian is the oldest son of Makaha legend Buffalo Keaulana. A skilled surfer, he is a pioneer of tow-in style big wave riding, as well as a highly paid surf and water safety consultant to Hollywood and TV production companies.

Brian L. Keaulana has become one of the most qualified and respected teachers of ocean survival of all time. When Hollywood or other big name productions are in need of ocean safety/rescue expertise, they call upon Brian and his team to fill all roles.

“Fear is from emotion; never let your emotion control your action. Never deny your fear. If you have someone who is out in the environment and is fearful, this person stands a good chance of serious injury or death.”

Brian Keaulana