How Surfing Oahu’s North Shore Shaped Jack Johnson’s Music

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 3:31 PM ET

Jack Johnson could have easily gone down a different path. Growing up on the North Shore of Oahu, surrounded by the Momentum Generation, Jack could have joined his peers in surfing stardom, alongside Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, et al.

Instead, however, Jack’s music career took off.

But that upbringing in surfing’s Seven Mile Miracle made a lasting impact. Like many musicians, his surroundings influenced his work – somewhat akin to Detroit shaping Motown, the Pacific Northwest and grunge music, New Orleans and jazz, among countless others. In a recent segment on CNN, Jack talked about that island influence.

“I think that growing up here, there’s this really slow rhythm,” Jack said. “You don’t realize you’re taking it in. It’s the sound of waves hitting the shore. And usually that’s about 12-to-14 seconds apart.”

In addition to his sound, Jack talked about how Hawaiian tradition – specifically with regards to stewardship of natural landscapes – impacted his eco-conscious approach to touring.

“Going back to those early shows, it was like, everything’s great, wow, what a night,” he said. “And then you walk out on the stage after everybody’s gone, and you just see a sea of plastic water bottles. This is an environmental footprint that’s bigger than I realized. It’s a wakeup call. Like, how can we do better?”

The result, for concert bookers, has become known as the “Jack Johnson Package.”

“I just started looking,” said Jack. “Willie Nelson is running all his trucks and buses on biodiesel, let’s do that. Neil Young is putting on the Bridge School Benefit every year, let’s do something like that in Hawaii.”

Also, at Jack’s concerts, he asks for compost stations, locally sourced food, and no plastic.

But amidst all the touring and philanthropy, Jack still finds time to surf. Like recently, when he headed down to Bali with his old Momentum Generation alum, Rob Machado, to score pumping Uluwatu. And yes, Jack still charges.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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