Keizo Gates is a co-founder of Kamanu Composites. His primary role is to continuously innovate the designs and manufacturing process of Kamanu Composites. In the shop he does everything from grinding seams in the sanding room to sitting at a desk doing CAD or analysis. Keizo was born in Pahoa on the Big Island, but grew up on a sailboat around O'ahu and Kaua'i. He started paddling in 1997 for Kaiola Canoe Club. In 2002, he started the website OCPaddler.com, which has since grown to become the worlds largest online paddling resource and community. Keizo graduated from Kaua'i High School in 2003 and went on to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he received a B.S. in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering in 2007.