Update: Reno Abellira Confirmed Alive

This week, SURFER errantly published an obituary for legendary Hawaiian surfer Reno Abellira based on information from multiple sources that indicated he had passed away. As additional information has come to light, we have confirmed that Abellira is alive and in custody at the Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC).

We contacted the OCCC for confirmation and were told by officials that he has been in custody since September 22, 2025, which conflicts with reports that he was seen in public in between then and his presumed death in March of 2026. The officer at the OCCC said, "Yeah, he's here, and he's been here since September 22."

Abellira is widely regarded as one of the most stylish surfers of his generation, a standout on the North Shore during the late 1960s and 1970s whose smooth approach, especially in big waves, left a lasting imprint on Hawaiian surfing.

Reports of Abellira's presumed death first surfaced when friends of the surfer in San Diego, who had known him over the years and most recently spent time with him when he came to the Sacred Craft Show (now known as the Boardroom Show) in San Diego, alleged that he had passed away at the end of February.

On Sunday, March 8, additional sources reported Abellira's alleged death. A surf website claimed to have heard from his family (unspecified who exactly) that he had passed. From there, the story spread to other surf media sites and then social media, where several notable figures shared heartfelt tributes.

SURFER offers its deepest and most sincere apologies for any confusion or distress the misreporting may have caused friends, family, and fans. More updates to come as additional information becomes available.