Paul Stukin has spent his life in the ocean.
He grew up in Southern California, surfing Topanga Beach and Surfrider Beach in Malibu, where skateboarding and surfing shaped his character from an early age. The ocean taught him discipline, humility, and resilience long before he understood what those lessons would mean later in life.
Paul went on to attend the University of California, Santa Cruz, drawn by its proximity to iconic breaks like Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point. Those years deepened his connection to the water and reinforced a belief he still holds today: the ocean is the great equalizer. It humbles everyone. There are no socioeconomic lines in the lineup. Every person earns their place through respect, patience, and perseverance. Now based in Hawaii, nearly every day begins or ends in the ocean. The water remains Paul’s anchor and compass, shaping both his personal values and life decisions.
Professionally, Paul brings more than two decades of experience building businesses in coastal communities. He is the Co-Founder of Deep Blue HI, a luxury boutique real estate brokerage serving all the Hawaiian Islands, built on integrity, leadership, and long-term relationship-building. These same principles guide his commitment to board service.
Paul has long been involved in youth mentorship and has previously worked with at-risk youth through organizations such as Amer-I-Can Foundation and in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, supporting programs focused on confidence, accountability, and opportunity. He has seen firsthand how structure, guidance, and positive role models can change a young person’s trajectory. He believes surfing offers more than recreation. It teaches courage, patience, respect, and responsibility in real time. For many young people, the ocean becomes a place of healing, confidence, and belonging.
Serving on this board brings together Paul’s two greatest passions: the ocean and working with children. He is proud to help expand access to surfing and mentorship for youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity. The ocean changed his life, and he believes it can help change theirs.