Buttons with Rory Russell, winter 12/13. Photo: Joli

Aged 54, Hawaii’s afro’d 70s icon Montgomery Kaluhiokalani, aka Buttons, has passed away following complications related to lung cancer.

Primarily known for incorporating radical skate-inspired manoeuvres into surfing during the shortboard revolution – carving 360s, tailslides, switch-stance off-the-tops – Buttons’ style was as firmly progressive as it was spontaneous and fun-centred, which the following couple of videos highlight only too well.

Next time you paddle out, rip a turn for Buttons.