Maui Surf Community Heartbroken After Beloved Local Surfer's Murder
On Monday, September 16, 42-year-old Lahaina resident and local surfer Shawn Lewis was shot and killed in his car. The murder took place at approximately 12:00am near the intersection of Honoapiilani Highway and Waiolu Place. At this time police are continuing to investigate the crime and asking for the public’s help with any information.
Affectionately known as “Bigfoot” due to a portion of his left leg being amputated, Lewis was a well-loved member of the Maui surfing community. The sudden and tragic loss has left his friends and fellow surfers heartbroken.
“He was someone that I always saw brought joy and himself, I think he found joy in serving the surf community,” described Zane Kekoa Schweitzer to KITV Island News. An elite waterman and standup paddler, Schweitzer is the founder of InZane SUPer Grom Clinics
A regular in helping with events and activities around the island for local kids, him and Schweitzer often worked together to pay it forward and keep Maui’s aloha spirit burning bright.
“I was really sad because he’s been so involved in our programs lately and we have one going on this Sunday and we were expecting him as one of our volunteers,” said Schweitzer.
Lewis was also an integral member of the growing adaptive surfing community. As stoked as anyone in the water, maybe more, he represented Hawaii in the 2021 ISA World Para Surfing Championship in Pismo Beach, California.
“Everybody goes, ‘How can you surf but you can’t walk?’ Well, I started surfing on one leg and balancing on one leg,” Lewis explained to a local news station at the time. “You’ll see people lending each other boards or leashes, doing whatever we can to help each other out. We are all pretty much winners here, because we are here.”
Bigfoot’s larger-than-life smile, generous heart and undying love for the ocean are going to be profoundly missed. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends at this most difficult of times.
If anyone has any information on Lewis’ murder Maui police can be reached at 808-244-6425.
