Today in Hawaii, you can find Local Motion centrally based out of Honolulu, operating 7 stores across Oahu, Maui, and California while still remaining humble to its small surf shop roots. The corporation aimed to expand and serve the global surf market, opening its own independent series of Local Motion stores in Japan. Rob sold the brand in 1991 to Minami Corp., a Tokyo-based organization. When the company's biggest and newest flagship store at the time opened up in Waikiki, the cast of MTV's The Real World: Hawaii were employed as store workers for the tv series. The popular Hawaiian Style Band wrote a couple songs for Local Motion (most notably the single hit " Live A Little"). Some of the biggest names in surfing were team riders: Buttons, Bonga, Jamie O'Brien and Bruce Irons to name a few. It wasn't long until Local Motion became a familiar name in surfing worldwide, reaching as far as Brazil and Japan. Design and development, however, remained in Hawaii. Production eventually moved to California and later overseas. By 1981, he moved the store to Honolulu where business flourished and continued to expand into the neighbor islands. In the beginning, he was solely responsible for all design, merchandising, sales and marketing, later going on to also helm sister brands Hawaiian Style and Kahala Sportswear. Rob began launching his series of original boardshorts, t-shirts, and aloha shirts in the wake of the of the booming surf-market. ![]() With the help of his sisters, he named his company "Local Motion" which conveyed the movement, power, and speed of surf, and also embodied the Hawaiian-grown image, which is further emphasized by the iconic palm tree logo. Rob was a well known surfboard shaper on the Windward coast of Oahu and spent his days paddling, surfing, and playing tennis. Little did he know what the brand would become what it is today. He was only 23, and started the shop with only a $3,000 bank loan. Its founder, Hawaiian native Robert "Rob" Burns, opened its doors with his dream of opening his own surf shop finally realized. Local Motion Hawaii started in 1977: a small 500 square foot surf shop in Kailua, Oahu in Hawaii. Local Motion continues to grow and serve the community - reflecting our enthusiasm, understanding and value of the aloha spirit. With an ʻohana of 7 stores spanning across Oahu, Maui, and California. Our mission: To perpetuate the Hawaiian surf/island lifestyle, share the warmth of the aloha with our customers, and advance the surf apparel industry in Hawaii with superior customer service and commitment. And in the ever-changing and diverse market, Local Motion is always venturing for new trends and striving to go beyond industry norms. Hawaii, Indo, Brazil, USA, Japan, Europe and the Pacific.For 44 years, Local Motion Hawaii has been committed to supplying the best in authentic, premium surf wear in the islands. Travelling to exotic locations around the world keeps him fuelled up, and in touch with the demands of modern surfing, and surfboard design. Having an acute eye for detail, has ensured constant and consistent form in his boards. Arriving in Australia in 1973, was the start of a ride that has seem him become one of the industries leading shaper’s. Moving from the Republic Of South Africa, to Australia in the early 70’s proved to be a decisive decision, that would help shape Gunther’s future in the surfboard industry. ![]() His label, Gunther Rohn Surfboards has been pumping out boards for the best of the best surfers in the world for years on end and has lead to many WCT and WQS victories dating all the way back to the late 80's, starting with Nicky Woods first ASP victory at the Rip Curl Bells Beach Easter Classic in 1987 at only 16 years old. Gunther knows a thing or two about surfboards. Shaped in Australia under license by Gunther Rohn.
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