"Next year, we're kind of looking at the China Longboard Classic in Japan," said Uemura, who is hosting a Japan surf representative. "I'm very honored."

Uemura's annual Hawai'i event concluded yesterday in 1- to 2-foot waves at Kuhio Beach, Waikiki, after three days of competition.

The charity event is considered one of Hawai'i's most popular surf meets, annually drawing more than 300 contestants, young and old, and hundreds of spectators.

This year, the event drew 324 competitors, including a meet-record 60 out-of-state contestants, including longboarders from Australia, Japan, Spain, Tahiti, New Zealand and Brazil.

As with the previous 19 China Uemura meets, proceeds were donated to charity. This year's recipient was the American Diabetes Association.

China Uemura

Uemura, who is coping with diabetes, has raised more than $100,000 for charity in his previous 19 meets.

"He loves to give, give, give," said Uemura's son, Kekoa, who is the No. 2 ranked longboard surfer in the Association of Surfing Professionals. "He's not really about taking a lot. But he'll always give a lot. The community supported him through his bad times. Every year, this is like a 'thank you.' "

Yesterday, in a sign of approval, Japan threw out the welcoming mat to host a China Uemura meet next year.

"In case China wants to have a contest in Japan, I'm very honored to support that contest," said Ken Koshizoe, the vice president for the Japan Professional Surfing Association, the governing body of professional surfing in Japan.

Koshizoe said Japan surf meets are strictly surfing, and have no other offerings such as live entertainment, dancing and food that Uemura's event has.

"There's no other event like this in Japan," said Koshizoe, who called the China Uemura meet "the first step to make the relationship between Hawai'i and Japan surfing stronger."

For the first time, the China Uemura event featured a division for Japanese residents. In addition, two Japan surfers — amateur Tommy Sakamoto and professional David Kinoshita — competed in the meet this weekend.

Uemura said the proposed Japan event is close to being finalized, but needs some work with logistics and high-powered sponsors.

"It's about 75 percent (certain)," said Uemura, who is also planning a "charity pro" circuit with fellow surf advocate Guy Takayama that will seek contests in California, Costa Rica and Hawai'i. The proceeds of that event will also go to charity, Uemura said.

"That's what we have planned for next year," he said.

Yesterday's final day of the China Uemura's Longboard Surfing Classic attracted hundreds of tourists, including Roger and Ann Skubowius from Toronto.

"I haven't seen surfing live, except for (watching Roger surf recreationally in San Francisco)," Ann Skubowius said. "To catch sights of surfers competing, that's neat."

The event was also attended by hundreds of Uemura's friends, including the 'Ewa Beach Surf Club which has supported and donated money to the event for more than a decade.

"China takes care of the unfortunate people," said Gilbert Dano, 54, the president of the 'Ewa Beach Surf Club. "This contest is a way for all the local people to share their mana for the island. It shows Hawai'i's aloha."

Contestant Yolanda Valiente, of Nu'uanu, said the meet has a division for everyone. She especially likes the homespun, easy-going mood of the event.

"Hawai'i is the birthplace of surfing," said Valiente, who has been surfing for more than 30 years. "There hasn't been too much that embodies the whole spirit of it. It's only China's contest, and Rell Sunn had her menehune contest. And, what's really good, he's doing it for a cause."

Notes: Uemura dedicated the meet to his three late friends, entertainer and disc jockey Wili Moku, former West side surfer Reynolds Wright and beachboy Frederick "Cowboy" Rosa. ... Uemura also runs the China Uemura's Wahine Surfing Classic..