KEKOA (pronounced Keh-KO-Ah) translates into many meanings in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, among them are the brave, the fearless, the bold.

People often ask me why I started Kekoa Collective. The inspiration came from my love of surfing and traveling—then, later, Jiu-Jitsu, which I started at the age of 42. 

A few months after launching Kekoa in 2009, the recession hit, bringing the business world in America to a standstill. I dove deep into my corporate job, putting Kekoa on hold.

Fast forward to 2016—after three decades in the surf industry, I was laid off as a VP for one of the world’s largest surf brands. Struggling to find meaningful work, I bounced between small women’s brands but found no fulfillment. As I witnessed the decline of leadership in the corporate world, I felt a calling to relaunch Kekoa—not just as a business, but as a conscious business model for future generations.

At the same time, I saw society shifting—social media was replacing real human connection, and communities were vanishing from our cities and neighborhoods. In May 2016, I made a life-changing decision: I sold my houses and cashed in my 401K to relaunch Kekoa Collective with one mission—to help build mindful communities across the globe and to support healing through surfing, Jiu-Jitsu, and travel.

The company’s mission started with a simple question: How can our business help change the world? We aim to reshape the traditional business model and become a force for positive change. Instead of chasing profit at all costs, we embrace a balanced approach—for-profit, for-humanity, and for-community. Kekoa seeks to help humanity heal—to restore harmony in communities worldwide.

We live by three simple rules:
Work hard. Play hard. Do good.

This passion and purpose drive us to live humbly in material wealth but infinitely rich in happiness and fulfillment. Sharing, serving, and teaching are woven into our everyday lives—whether in the ocean, on the mat, or beyond.

“Move Mindfully” is our vision. We live by Coach John Wooden’s Two Sets of Threes:

Never Lie. Never Cheat. Never Steal.
Don’t Complain. Don’t Whine. Don’t Make Excuses.

Transparency, integrity, and authenticity are at our core. Your support and feedback shape our journey, and together, we can create something bigger than ourselves.

Thank you for believing in this movement. Together, we can build a better tomorrow.

Dewey Doan
Dreamer