It was a final paddle out on Saturday morning in memory of legendary board shaper, Donald Takayama.

Takayama passed away last month, but his legacy continues on the water.

An estimated 300 people gathered at Queens Beach in Waikiki for the celebration of life for Donald Mo'ke Takayama.

"He was a man with a big heart, the biggest heart there is," said China Uemura, a surfer and friend.    

Takayama was as comfortable in the water as he was in the shaping room.

"He was like an ambassador to surfing. He had so many friends all around the world. And he made such great surfboards," said longtime friend Ivan Harada.

Evident by the many boards he shaped, Takayama had a gift.

He began shaping surfboards at age 12 and over his lifetime, shaped longboards for some of the most iconic surfers of all time.

"He made me a champion on his board.  I’m one of the guys that rode on his board and when I went to California and I was an amateur and he made me a top amateur champion," said Uemura.

Friends since they were 17 years old, Peter Pope said  those who set the standard in the surfing industry are leaving too soon.