The book is actually available from google for free here, so you can go ahead and read whether you think the surfing history is as inaccurate at Buffalo Keaulana argues.
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One of the most well-known families in surfing is suing an author and his publisher.
Buffalo Keaulana has sued author Stuart Coleman and St. Martin’s press in an effort to have “Fierce Heart, the Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing” pulled from store shelves.
Keaulana family attorney John Carroll has a copy of the book.
He says all those yellow tabs point to inaccuracies.
“There are certain things in there that are not right. They don’t want them published. And that’s why we’re trying to shut the book down right now. And pull those books off the shelves” says John Carroll, the Keaulana family’s attorney.
The Keaulana family is synonymous with Oahu’s west side.
The iconic Bufallo was a world class surfer, and Makaha’s first lifeguard.
His two sons, Bryan and Rusty are world renowned watermen in their own right.
Carroll has filed a lawsuit against Author Stuart Coleman and St. Martin’s Press.
In that suit claims defamatory allegations of illicit drug use by the Keaulana’s and that they’re figures of organized crime.
There is also a breach of contract claim.
“The critical issue for them was, don’t do this unless we approve it. All we want you to do is get it right. They had no money, not even a written contract” says Carroll/
The author, Stuart Coleman, says he did send several drafts of the book to the family.
And Carroll acknowledges some changes.
” They did make some attempts to change quite a bit of it. But that’s right now, getting it right is all they really care about.”
Coleman wouldn’t comment on camera because of the suit…But he added that he is “heartbroken that it has gotten to this point…Meant to be a tribute to this family.”
It’s that family name that Carroll says is more important than money.
“They’re well known because of the charities and the tremendous impact they’ve had on kids and surfing, and the whole involvement that has come through their family efforts. And they just don’t want that screwed up.”
Carroll hopes to be in a courtroom soon to try and get the book pulled from shelves.
