Moving with the Tide
O‘ahu-raised Pipeline surfer and Honolulu lifeguard Tamayo Perry lived for the ocean.
(Photo by Brent Bielmann.)
On O‘ahu’s North Shore, the ocean is more than a horizon. Rather, it is a force that shapes identity, discipline, and destiny. It is also where the legacy of Tamayo Perry continues to unfold, not as memory alone, but as momentum.
This June marks two years since his life was tragically lost in the ocean he so deeply respected, a loss felt across the Islands and beyond.
Raised on O‘ahu and shaped by the North Shore’s most formidable breaks, Tamayo lived a life defined by the ocean. A respected Pipeline surfer, longtime Honolulu lifeguard, and actor with appearances in films including Pirates of the Caribbean, he was known as much for his skill as for his presence, fearless in the water and deeply committed to protecting those around him.
Founded in his honor, the Tamayo Perry Foundation is transforming grief into purpose, creating pathways for Hawai‘i’s youth to safely and confidently access the ocean. At the nonprofit’s core is a mission both deeply local and profoundly universal: to ensure that every child in Hawai‘i has the opportunity to learn to swim, understand the ocean, and carry forward a culture rooted in respect and responsibility.
“Tamayo was an incredible waterman. He was always disappointed by how many children in Hawai‘i couldn’t swim or fully experience the ocean,” says Emilia Perry, Tamayo’s wife and the foundation’s president. “He loved the City and County of Honolulu’s Junior Lifeguard program but recognized that many kids couldn’t participate because of their lack of swimming ability and ocean knowledge.”
That gap between access and opportunity became the foundation’s call to action.
Through swim instruction, ocean safety education, and mentorship, the organization is working to remove barriers that have long kept keiki from fully engaging with one of Hawai‘i’s most defining natural resources.
“The Tamayo Perry Foundation was created by his closest friends and family to carry forward his legacy by empowering youth and helping keep our communities safe through swim instruction and ocean safety education,” Emilia explains. “We aim to teach kids how to swim and build their confidence in the water, with the goal of guiding them into programs like Junior Guards and beyond.”
For her, this work is not only about skill-building, but also about shaping character. Her husband’s life — defined by courage, faith, and an unwavering sense of aloha — serves as the foundation’s guiding ethos.
“Tamayo believed in showing up with heart, lifting others up, and staying present,” Emilia says. “Our programs and
awards are meant to celebrate that spirit, not just recognizing who is fastest or strongest, but those who bring courage, kindness, and commitment to the water and to their team.”
(Photo by Brown W. Cannon III.)
Tamayo Perry and his wife Emilia Perry.
That philosophy came to life during the foundation’s recent Tamayo Perry Awards, where young participants were recognized for athletic achievement, as well as qualities like humility, selflessness and individuality. For many, it was a moment of affirmation that extended far beyond the shoreline.
“Seeing the pure joy on the kids’ faces as they received their shirts and recognition awards was a reminder of why we do this work,” Emilia shares. “For many of these keiki, that moment of being seen and celebrated is a memory they will carry into the surf for a lifetime.”
Beyond these moments, the foundation addresses a humbling reality: Even in a place defined by the ocean, access to water safety is not equal.
“In Hawai‘i, the ocean is our backyard, yet nearly half of our kids don’t know how to swim,” Emilia notes. “That’s something we’re determined to change.”
The organization’s long-term vision is as ambitious as it is essential. It aims to transform ocean literacy from a privilege into a statewide standard, where ocean safety is a universal life skill, not merely a luxury.
For Hawai‘i’s philanthropic community, the opportunity to support this work is both tangible and deeply meaningful. Contributions directly fund swim programs, expand access, and create life-saving opportunities for keiki across the Islands.
“This mission only works if we come together because creating access to swim education and ocean safety takes resources, time, and people who care,” adds Emilia.
It is, at its essence, a collective effort, one that reflects the very values Tamayo lived by. “To everyone who has stood with us and cheered us on: thank you,” Emilia adds. “Your presence turned our grief into a movement.”
Through the Tamayo Perry Foundation, the ocean remains what it has always been in Hawai‘i: a teacher, a test, and a source of connection. But now, it is also a bridge that links legacy to future and community to purpose.
And with every child who enters the water equipped, confident, and supported, that legacy moves forward, carried not just by the tide, but also by the hands of those willing to invest in what comes next.
Led by his wife Emilia Perry, the Tamayo Perry Foundation carries Tamayo’s legacy forward by teaching keiki to swim, build confidence, and safely embrace the ocean.