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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:10 p.m., Friday, February 6, 2009

Pro Bowl: Custom-made surfboards autographed by NFL stars to be auctioned

Advertiser Staff

The City and County of Honolulu and the NFL are presenting the third annual "Surfboards in Paradise" online charity auction of two custom-designed surfboards to be autographed by the 2009 Pro Bowl AFC and NFC teams during Pro Bowl Week in Honolulu.

Each board will be auctioned separately on NFL.com, beginning today and ending on Feb. 12. The proceeds from the auction are then donated to local charities.

"This partnership between the City and County and the NFL has brought in thousands of dollars for local charities," said Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann in a press statement. "This year, Chinatown Boardroom has designed truly unique collectibles that will be made all the more valuable by team autographs. eRealty Companies, owner and developer of the Yacht Harbor Tower in Waikiki, has generously stepped in to underwrite the hard costs of the boards' production. We know that local charities are the backbone of our community. We hope to provide assistance during these economically challenging times, while promoting Hawaii to the world."

The AFC and NFC surfboards are sleek custom shortboards handcrafted by local surfboard shaper and owner of Chinatown Boardroom, Eric Walden, and glasser Brian Michler.

Members of each of their respective teams will sign the one-of-a-kind, museum-quality boards during Pro Bowl Week festivities in Honolulu. In addition to being featured on NFL.com, the boards will also be displayed at Pro Bowl Week venues.