It’s not surprising that surfing is engrained in the culture of Maui, Hawaii. Now, thanks to Surf Block Maui, surfing is literally rebuilding homes on the island. Surfer and Entrepreneur Colby Leachman shares how old surfboards are building new structures:
The 2023 Hawaii Wildfires destroyed more than 2,200 structures and resulted in roughly $5.5 billion in damages. 17,000+ acres of homes were lost, displacing Hawaiians all throughout Maui. Many families have struggled to rebuild. The Hawaiians who have stepped up to build new homes have all been met with a single question: how can we prevent this loss from happening again?
Surf Block Maui
No one can predict the future. No one can know what might happen next. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be better prepared for the possibilities.
Surf Block Maui is rebuilding in Maui with purpose and intention. The locally owned and operated manufacturing company produces sustainable building materials known as “Surf Blocks.” These blocks are insulated composure concrete forms (ICCF). ICCFs are used to build structures that are energy-efficient and disaster-resistant. The blocks are so named because each block is formed from recycled materials produced from surfboard waste that would otherwise be sitting in a landfill.
Originally developed by amateur surfer and pro architect David Sellers more than eight years ago, Surf Block Maui existed before the wildfires hit. But it wasn’t until the rebuilding of homes on the island that Hawaiians truly recognized the capabilities of the material. Now, Surf Block is leading construction efforts throughout Maui to rebuild disaster resistant, fire resistant homes.
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