Hawaiian born, Kali 'da Big Kahuna' Montero surfing and instructional roots go back to the birthplace of surfing - HAWAII. Raised and first learning to surf on the West side of Oahu, Kali first learned the ancient ways from his Kupuna and surfed with some of Hawaii's legends and first families of surfing.

He later came under the tutelage of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, father of modern day surfing, who instilled and commissioned him to the perpetuation of surfing as a Hawaiian heritage and gift to the world.  Kali continued to learn and honed his craft from some of the legendary beach boys of Hawaii and spent 25 yrs. teaching thousands this ancient Sport of Kings on Waikiki Beach.  Hungry to learn as much as he could about the sport he loved, Kali also studied under the Hawaiian masters of surfboard design and shaping and later became the East coast rep for Blue Hawaii Surfboards and Aloha Surfboards.  Not satisfied, he competed for 17 years specializing in big wave competition, which brought him to the international arenas of Hawaii, Australia and California and numerous other worldwide surfing venues.

Having arrived in South Florida in 1996 Kali saw the need for a structured and expert course of surf instruction and with the blessings of the then progressive minded owners of a surf shop in South Florida found what has become the largest and longest running organized FREE surf lessons in the world.  Kali saw the need and created an online forum which he hosted aptly named ‘Ask da Big Kahuna’ that provided expert advice and answered questions about surfing, training, equipment, travel and accessories.  Understanding the need for a more formalized course of instruction with individualized attention and from numerous requests from students, parents and the general public Kali established Big Kahuna Surf Schools to satisfy this need.

Kali additionally lectures and guest speaks at public forums, featured in magazine, radio and television, provides surfing expertise to TV news stations, newspapers, and writers.  He is a surf team coach and contest judge, a surf camp owner, and has conducted pro bono instruction at surf camps for Quiksilver, Roxy, Rusty, REDSAND, Surfrider Foundation, Armed Forces Special Services, University of Miami - Hui Aloha, a number of cities, numerous surf shops, high schools and college surf clubs.
 
Kali is Co Founder and sits on the Board of Directors of the National Surf Schools and Instructors Association (NSSIA) which is ISO compliant and a 501c non profit organization established to help protect industry, governments and surfers by providing guidance and expertise through certification and accreditation of qualifying surfing instructors and surf schools worldwide.

Through the ‘Ask da Big Kahuna’ platform he has taken the surfing industry to the next level which is to provide a window of expertise through his unique experiences, surfing knowledge, and Hawaiian pedigree about all things surfing.

Everywhere he goes and with all he touches spreading the spirit of Aloha and his commission: To Perpetuate the Hawaiian Heritage and gift to the world.