Eight pro surfers swept over Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children yesterday afternoon like a 40-foot wave — giving Santa a huge, elfin assist — handing out signed ball caps, posters, T-shirts, Christmas stockings and a North Shore swell of good cheer.

Delighted patients were all grins and questions.

"Have you guys surfed since you were young?" Samantha "Sam" Hanabaga, 15, of Hilo wanted to know.

"We're not that old, you know," quipped Kala Alexander, surfer and "Blue Crush" movie star.

For Hanabaga, who broke her back in an all-terrain-vehicle accident in May, the visit was "like a dream come true."

"I'm stoked," she said after getting an Eddie Aikau contest poster autographed by all the pros. "They're like celebrities to me."

The surfer visit, a first for Kapi'olani, made such a splash there was talk of making it an annual event. That was fine with former world champ and six-time Triple Crown of Surfing champion Sunny Garcia.

"This really should be a new Hawai'i tradition," said Garcia, who has done similar visits at other hospitals. "Those kids are really happy when we get there. So I can't see why we shouldn't do it here."

Garcia knelt to shake the tiny hand of Grace Kostecki, who turned 18 months yesterday. Grace and her mom and dad, Elizabeth Ignacio and David Kostecki, moved to O'ahu from Huntington Beach, Calif., four days ago. Grace got pneumonia her second day here.

Although she wasn't sure what the fuss was about, Grace was pleased to be at the center of it momentarily.

Nicholas Shigeoka, 10, recovering from surgery following a ruptured appendix, was pleasantly overwhelmed by the rush of gifts, attention and well wishes from the surfers.

He spoke for many, including Hanabaga, when he said, "I hope I make it home by Christmas."

"That's the hope," said his mom, Teri Ann Shigeoka. "There's no promises, but the surgeon's going to try and see if he can go home by then."

One patient who won't be going home for Christmas is Curt Nakamura of Pearl City. Nakamura, 19, who has leukemia, was at the hospital for an infection contracted during his third round of chemotherapy, said his mother and father, Robyn and Carl Nakamura.

Curt, a bodyboarder, was keenly aware of the top surfers who'd be meeting him.

"Hey, Curt — Merry Christmas!" said Makua Rothman and Fred Patacchia Jr. in unison as they led the parade of surfers into Nakamura's room.

Nakamura removed his oxygen mask and sat up to shake every hand.

Although he won't be going home, the surfers offered him much encouragement and hope. Nakamura's mom, who promised they'd have a Christmas celebration at the hospital, said the visit meant a lot to her son.

And that's the whole idea, said Mahina Chillingworth, board director of the surfing club Hui o' He'e Nala, which came up with the idea of the holiday visit.

"Most of these guys are fathers," said Chillingworth. "And they're always wanting to give, and to do something for kids. So I asked them if they'd do this, and they said, 'OK, let's do it.'"

Chillingworth contacted the hospital, which liked the idea of pro surfers paying a call. Next she called Glen Moncata, director of marketing and sales for Quiksilver, who said he'd be glad to help with arrangements and put together the Christmas stockings, posters and other gifts.

Moncata said the pros were only too happy to hand out the presents.

"And these kids really appreciate it," Moncata said.

"I mean — look at the smiles!"

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.