If you believe the legend, you know that Maui and Sons clothing came about as the result of three sons from the Island of Maui, who were magically destined to create a legacy in fine surfwear. Of course, if you are prone to believing in legends, you probably think Bigfoot is stalking the Pacific Northwest.

The real story is that three lifelong friends, fellow surfers from Corona Del Mar, CA, were looking for a way to make some easy money, likely with the hopes that by striking it rich, they could afford to spend their days surfing to their hearts content. Out of the three – Jeff Yokohama, Steve Prested and Rick Rietveld – only Jeff was actually Hawaiian, thereby spoiling the myth, but they were apparently destined to create a surfwear legacy together. Of course, they had to fail at a combined cookie making venture to find where their talents lay.

When the cookie business failed, they decided to try their hand in the apparel business in 1980, and introduced a madras print Bermuda short that harkened back to the styles of the 60s. Adorned with a cookie-shaped logo, the shorts sold quite well with both surfers and landlubbers. They proceeded to create a sunglass-wearing and surf-loving shark appropriately named “Sharkman” and the mascot soon became as big a hit as their Bermuda shorts. With a combination of eye-catching graphics and Sharkman’s mug, they watched the fruits of their labors rise above the extensive surfwear competition and claim the top spot in the heart of surfers everywhere.

What was once only available in specialty shops, soon became available worldwide, after the three friends sold their licensing rights to an investor. The American dream played out yet again. And even if their dream doesn’t quite match the legend that surrounds it, it’s still a pretty cool, and inspiring, story in itself.