ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study that highlights from a naturally occurring mentoring relationship between a father and son in Hawaii. It also presents a familial mentoring relationship and demonstrates how cultural expectations influenced the focus of their interactions. For native Hawaiians, connection to family ancestry is paramount to their cultural sense of identity. From surfing to finding his place as a contributing family member, Ha'a was constantly at his father's side. His mother, Elani Aikau, can remember him being drawn to the activities of his father. While it is important to note that the mentoring relationship between Clyde Aikau and Ha'a formed naturally, it is also important to pay attention to how it evolved into a more formal relationship as Ha'a became a young adult. Without considering the cultural values of the Aikau family, the relationship between Clyde and his son might otherwise have appeared as a typical familial mentoring relationship.
