When Makua Rothman was invited to play Eddie Vedder‘s Ohana Festival, he felt a shared connection between the event and his native Hawaiian islands.
“It was an honor when they offered me the show,” he said during a recent phone interview. “What Eddie Vedder set up with the fest really does embody ohana, bringing everybody together. Being able to represent that, from the islands and from the originators of ohana, is great. As Hawaiian people, we love to be a part of everything that sheds light on friends, love and family.”
Rothman will bring his island fusion of reggae and rock to open up the three-day Ohana Festival in Dana Point on Friday, Sept. 26, which will coincide with the release of his new single, “All I Ever Wanted.”
“It’s amazing to be able to have a stage to share my stories through art,” he said. “The culture of Hawaiian music was built around sharing stories through art, music and chanting. For me to be able to do that through singing and dancing, really feels great to share that with the world, beyond the reef of Hawaii.”
Along with championing the music of the islands, Rothman had a professional surfing career, riding 100-foot waves and winning championships. In 2015, he was crowned the 2015 Big Wave World Champion in the World Surf League’s Big Wave World Tour.
Before hitting the Ohana Festival stage, Rothman talked with Southern California News Group about his surfing career, collaborating with Wiz Khalifa and overcoming addiction. The following conversation has been edited for space and clarity.
Q: In 2021, you surfed a massive wave of about 100 feet. What was that experience like, and what was going through your mind during and after?
I was in Louisiana and I saw a big storm coming. I flew home quickly, and it was a really windy and gnarly day. I was in the right place at the right time and rode that really massive wave. It’s just part of what I do. My name, Makua, means father of the sea, and riding those waves is really medication for me. It helps me every day, keeps my mind sharp, my body strong.
Q: Several Hawaiian artists and celebrities, such as The Rock, Jason Momoa, and Anuhea, all have a culture of coming together when the islands need it most, including the devastating fires that happened a few years ago. What is it like being part of a culture where everyone leads with community?
I believe leadership is in our DNA. In ancient times, the leader’s responsibility was to share his resources with his community, his ohana. Those of us who can come together with a broader reach around the world, that’s part of our kuleana, or our responsibility. To help share with our community. That translates culturally into the present day. Whatever leadership roles we are blessed with, we use those resources to come together and support the people and the causes that matter most to us.
Q: You worked with Wiz Khalifa for “Clear the Air.” How did that collaboration go?
We created a beat and a song with the air sanitizer Ozium and presented it to Wiz, and he dropped a verse on it. We came together and made a cool music video, and working with him was a treat. He lives and breathes the real top-of-the-line artist lifestyle. Listening to him talk about his story during the video shoot was truly inspirational. Meeting such an accomplished artist at the highest level, and just breaking bread and talking about family and future plans, was so cool. Hopefully, one day we can do something again.
Q: You mentioned that a reason you became more focused on music was because of an injury you sustained. What was that time period like for you, going from winning major surfing competitions and then having to pivot?
I really had no choice. I blew out my knee. I had two knee surgeries to reconstruct the ligaments of my knee, and a lot of downtime, and a lot of it hurt. Writing about my feelings, stories, and experiences, from being a professional athlete my whole life to being injured towards the latter part of my career, made me feel better. A lot of emotion was coming to the surface. So, instead of holding them in, I’d let them out through music and created a great team around me. I started Villains 4 Good Records (V4G) and we’re on our way.
Q: You’ve been open about your struggle with addiction and your recovery. Why do you think it’s important to be transparent about these issues in the way that you are?
We all struggle in some way, right? Drug addiction is just one that’s easy to point out. It’s, ‘How do I leave my old self behind and evolve?’ You either rot away or you evolve. This is a part of my evolution, and I believe that my story will help millions around the world who struggle with whatever it may be. You’re addicted to something you know, whether it’s good or bad, but you want to be addicted to things that are good for you. Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol are not good for you, but neither is toxic thinking, overeating, or over-analyzing. There are many different ways, but there’s only one real way out of it. Leave that old self behind. Create a purpose for yourself and stay on that path. Stay dedicated to the new you, to your growth, or to anything that brings you comfort.
Q: What can fans expect from your performance at the festival?
Expect me to bring my best self, energy, love and the story of coming from the gutter, but to keep on going. Perseverance. Always.
Makua Rothman
When: Noon. Friday, Sep. 26, Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28.
Where: Doheny State Beach, Dana Point.
Tickets: Tickets are sold out, but fans can join the waitlist for each category at ohanafest.com. Single-day tickets start at $198, three-day tickets start at $530, and VIP options start at $698.