By Michael Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/22/25 – When you hear the name Makua Rothman, you might picture a towering wall of water and a surfer carving through it with effortless grace. But Rothman is just as comfortable behind a microphone as he is on a board—his dual passions for big-wave surfing and Hawaiian music define a life lived with intention, discipline, and aloha.
Ahead of his highly anticipated performance at BottleRock Napa Valley 2025, I caught up with Makua while in rehearsals in Venice, CA for a conversation that spanned culture, creativity, and the unique space he holds in both the surf and music worlds.
“Makua is short for Makuakai—my full name,” Rothman shares. “In Hawaiian, it translates to Father of the Sea.” And it’s more than just a poetic moniker. As a Big Wave World Champion, Rothman has spent much of his life in the ocean. But just as deeply rooted is his connection to music, something he says was a part of Hawaiian culture long before written language.
“We introduced ourselves through chant and song,” he says. “Our ancestors invented surfing and shared it with the world. For me, both surfing and music are about storytelling. They bring people together.”
Rothman’s life is a balancing act of extreme sports and expressive art. At one point, his training with surf legend Laird Hamilton came with a unique clause: if the waves hit 20 feet or higher, he’d be off the stage and on his board.
“Balancing training and tours were tricky,” he admits. “But the discipline from both worlds made it possible. Winning that title didn’t just prove something in the water—it boosted my music career, too.”
With new music set to release just before BottleRock, Rothman’s latest work is the result of a transformative period following a 2023 knee surgery. “That downtime gave me space to write songs that really matter,” he says. “I used to write dance-heavy tracks, but now I’m crafting music with more depth—songs that reflect my journey.”
That journey is deeply personal, yet universal. “Every lyric is part of my life. I hope fans connect with it—not just as entertainment, but as something meaningful. That’s when we form a real ‘ohana, a family beyond fame.”
On Stage at BottleRock
Rothman’s set at BottleRock won’t be just another gig. It’s a milestone, and he plans to make it count. “I’ll be debuting a collaboration there—part of a new track I’ve been working on,” he reveals. “But even more, I’ll bring the energy, the discipline, and all the love I’ve put into this music.”
He’s also a fan, looking forward to performances by Green Day, a childhood influence, and Justin Timberlake, whose versatility Rothman admires. “Green Day would be a dream collab,” he adds with a grin.
Despite his music career gaining traction, Rothman hasn’t left surfing behind. “I’m definitely chasing another big-wave title,” he says. “Today alone I did cardio, core, sauna, ice, pool work, then hit the studio. It’s intense—but I’m built for it.”
Makua Rothman is easy to find for fans and newcomers alike. Follow him on Instagram at @makua_rothman, visit makuamusic.com, and check out his videos on YouTube under his name. He’s also involved with his record label Villains for Good with his multi diamond, Grammy winning, producer and writing partner, Jimmy Messer, merging music with his lifestyle brand.
Whether he’s facing down a towering wave or captivating a festival crowd, Makua Rothman lives at the intersection of courage, creativity, and culture. At BottleRock and beyond, he continues to ride the rhythm of a life rooted in aloha.
Here’s more from our recent interview:
