Ralph Grijalva

“The waves whisper to me, calling me to the soft sand.
The water seeps over my feet, surrounds where I stand.”

Quietly, and peacefully, but all too suddenly, Ralph Grijalva left this earth in the wee hours of November 26, 2019. Ralph was born in Santa Barbara, California on May 3, 1962, and was proud to be an eighth generation native. He attended local schools, including Roosevelt Elementary, La Colina Jr. High, and San Marcos High School. He later relocated to Ventura and graduated from Buena High School. Soon after, Ralph embarked on what would become his career as a construction contractor. As a young man, he honed his skills in the trades and learned what it takes to become successful in the business. Ralph was a lover of the ocean and an avid surfer from the time that he was a teenager. His passion for the sport took him all over the world, including big-wave surfing spots in South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Bali. His search for surfing adventure led him to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. It was there that he decided to make his home, and settled on the North Shore of Kauai. Ralph spent many years there as a successful construction contractor, and most recently as a property manager at Sea Lodge Condominiums in Princeville, Hawaii. He developed a love for woodworking and began creating beautiful furniture from exotic hardwoods. To Ralph, family was everything. He was a single-father of three beautiful daughters, Shanice, Sanoe, and Ella, with whom he shared his passion for the ocean. He thought nothing of loading up his truck in the morning with everything the three might need for a day at the beach. As for himself, all he needed was his surfboard. He loved experiencing the beautiful Kauai sunsets with his girls at his side. He is survived by his daughters, parents Judy Manriquez (Eugene, deceased) and Ralph Grijalva, brothers Jeffrey Grijalva (Brenda), Gene Manriquez, Jr., and sister Jeanie Cornet (Danny), and nieces and nephew, Carolyn, Sawyer, and Bryan. He is preceded in death by his beloved grandparents Ralph and Henrietta Grijalva, and Eleanor Perez. A memorial “paddle-out” is planned for December 29, 2019 at Hanalei Pier, in Hanalei Bay, on Kauai. In addition, a separate paddle-out event is being planned for a later date and will be held in Ventura, California (further information will be shared on social media sites).