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Ernie was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Living in Kaimuki, he started surfing Waikiki at a very young age. After graduating from Saint Louis High School he moved to California to attend UCLA where he received a degree in engineering.
During the height of the 1960’s surfing
boom, Ernie started Tanaka The waves and lifestyle of Hawaii eventually got to Ernie so he returned to home in the mid 70’s. He was designing boats for several different companies and shaping boards for Town & Country Surf on the side. He eventually went to work for Glenn Minami at Blue Hawaii Surf. He shaped there for many years until that company was eventually sold. He then shaped for Local Motion until he later passed away. Ernie managed to shape thousands of boards and played a big part in developing the modern long board.
Ernie had earned a beach boy status in Waikiki and loved every minute of
it. He enjoyed surfing Queens and Ala Moana with his friend’s, guy’s like
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IN LOVING MEMORY
Surfboards in Van Nuys, CA. It was at this time he shaped for his good
friend and amazing surfer, Paul Strauch Jr. When he wasn’t shaping you
could find him at his homebreaks of L.A. County Line and Sacus. 
China Uemura, Reynolds Write, Cipy Cabato, Paul Strauch Jr., Ben Aipa,
Rabbit Kekai and many more. Ernie lived a great life and was recognized
as a living legend before he died. He left behind a daughter (Tammy) and a
son (Tommy) who is carrying on the family tradition of shaping.