By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

The first-ever Waikiki Beach Surfing Party for autistic children and their families hasn't happened yet — it's scheduled for later this month — but already, the organizers are calling it "first annual."

"Oh, there will be more. This is the first of many," says Jennifer Tracy of the nonprofit Surfers Healing. "It's such a great thing. The kids love it, the surfers love it, and the families have such a good time."

Surfers Healing was founded by former world champion longboarder Israel "Izzy" Paskowitz and his wife, Danielle, who are parents of an autistic child, Isaiah. Though Isaiah's autism is severe, he showed early on that he loves the water as much as his father does. Tandem father-son surf sessions made Isaiah calm and happy and sure. Buoyed by this discovery, and backed by years of experience as a surf instructor, Izzy started organizing surf parties for autistic kids and their families, mostly in California, but also in places like Rockaway Beach, N.Y. It was just a matter of time before Surfers Healing brought the program to Hawai'i. Izzy was born in Honolulu and his folks, Dr. Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz and "Ma" Juliette, live in Waikiki.

"I have to say honestly, because I've been running the camps in California for the last five years, that the people in Hawai'i have been so nice," Tracy says. "Every business that I've talked to has been so nice to me. They say, 'Anything you need, Jennifer.' "

Outrigger hotels is one of the sponsors of the event. Lunch for all the kids and their families will be provided by Rainbow Drive-In and Duke's restaurant.

On that day, surf instructors from the Paskowitz surf camp and local professional surfers will donate their time to take the kids out into the water one at a time. A host of spotters will stand guard on surfboards and canoes. It sounds like risky business, but the Paskowitz clan has run a surf school for decades and they're very comfortable in taking beginners out.

"We've got it down now to a science," Tracy says.

"Israel loves doing this — absolutely loves it. He loves doing it because it helps the kids. And all the surf instructors, it's what they look forward to doing all summer."

Surfers Healing is hoping to sign up 65 kids for the event. They're registering families right now.

"Everything is set," Tracy says. "Just give me the kids and give me the parents. We'll have happy campers."

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.