Sound Check: Makua Rothman

Surfing is not just a sport in Hawaii; it's a way of life. Such is the case for Makua Rothman, a long-time Monster Energy sponsored pro surfer, who has recently taken a surprising pivot in his career.

During the Maxing Cloudbreak event in Fiji, Rothman courageously tried to conquer one of the largest waves in its history. Unfortunately, he encountered a horrifying wipeout that resulted in a severe knee injury and required extensive rehabilitation. Amidst enduring excruciating pain and countless sleepless nights, he was forced to reassess his career path and consider alternative avenues to express his creativity. Reflecting on his experience during an interview with The Pier, Rothman asked himself, “What was I gonna do? Give up? Run and hide? Or use this type of adversity as a blessing and an opportunity to grow?”

During his recovery period, he turned to his second passion—music. Growing up in a family with a rich musical heritage, he had always carried a love for music and was greatly influenced by his grandparents and the gifted musicians of the North Shore. Coming from a lineage of talented musicians, including his father Eddie Rothman and uncle Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Rothman was exposed to the power of sound from an early age. In his family, music is a way of communication, a part of his language. “It’s part of the DNA that runs through my blood,” he said. “Surfing and music are a massive part of my culture, my people, and the way of life here in Hawaii.” Rothman has achieved great success with his distinct blend of reggae, rock, and soul, appealing to audiences both locally and beyond. He has also toured across the U.S., headlining intimate gigs and supporting big-name artists such as Matisyahu, Sublime with Rome, and more.

With his knee on the mend, an injury that sparked his flame even further, Rothman discovered a new source of inspiration in Woodstock Music Festival videos. This led him to start writing lyrics for his latest track titled “The One and Only,” a song that celebrates individuality and encourages embracing one's unique self. It's just a taste of what's to come from Rothman, who primarily pursued a career in surfing. Following his highly-acclaimed album, Sound Wave (2013), which even reached the top spot as the #1 Billboard Reggae Album, Rothman is currently working on an upcoming release.

Although his focus has shifted primarily to music, Rothman still holds a deep love for surfing. He acknowledges the strong link between the two art forms, emphasizing the spiritual connection and fluidity inherent in both pursuits. Born on the famous North Shore of Oahu, Rothman started riding waves when he was only two years old and rapidly gained recognition, tackling some of the largest and most terrifying waves, like Pipeline and Sunset Beach. When he was 18 years old, he surfed an insane 66-foot wave at Jaws, winning the Billabong XXL Big Wave Award that year. Additionally, he holds victories in the WSL Big Wave Championship, Quicksilver Ceremonial, and the O-Neil World Cup.