Merrie Monarch Festival 2011 Kane Auana
Kane Auana
Merrie Monarch Festival 2011
Hālau: Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La
Kumu Hula: Kaleo Trinidad
Mele: Eu Duke Paua Kahanamoku
Hawaii Watermen Hall of Fame 2010
The Hawaii Watermen Hall of Fame is about paying tribute to the deserving watermen and women of Hawaii. The nine honorees of this inaugural class include three legends – Eddie Aikau, Rell Sun, and of course Duke Kahanamoku. The other six are well-known veteran Island watermen – Wally Froiseth, Fred Hemmings, Buffalo Keaulana, Rabbit Kekai, Keo Nakama, Nappy Napolean.
Eddie Aikau – Surfing, Lifeguard
Rell Sunn – Surfing, Paddling, Lifeguard
Duke Kahanamoku – Surfing, Swimming, Canoe Paddling
Wally Froiseth – Surfing, Canoe Paddling
Fred Hemmings – Surfing
Buffalo Keaulana – Surfing, Lifeguard
Rabbit Kekai – Surfing, Canoe Paddling
Keo Nakama – Swimming
Nappy Napolean – Canoe Paddling
Hawaii has a rich history of producing some of the world’s best athletes in water sports, and these first inductees into the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame will set the bar very high. This display will serve as a future Who’s Who of the Hawaii waterman community.
Amelia Earhart Photos
Enlarged photos of Amelia Earhart’s visit to Hawaii in 1934 are on display at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (Oahu) where she stayed. Sixty-five recently discovered photographs of the pioneer’s time in Hawai’i are from the archives of the Matson Navigation Company (owners of the Royal Hawaiian, and the S.S. Lurline, which transported the pilot and her plane to Hawai’i). Although Earhart spent a lot of time at Wheeler Field getting her plane ready for travel, she and her husband also relaxed in Waikiki.
The black and white photographs capture Earhart with her husband vacationing, enjoying a little R&R, meeting Duke Kahanamoku, sampling pineapple, visiting Maui and the Big Island, and planting a banyan tree. Also on board the ocean liner was aviator Paul Mantz, who took her bright red Lockheed Vega up to Wheeler Field for fine-tuning and flight testing. The plane, she nicknamed “Old Bessie”, was pretty much hidden from public view, while Earhart and her husband became the toast of the islands.
The pictures are blown up in exquisite detail on canvas, and will be donated to the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island when the exhibition ends. In addition to the oversize canvas prints, more than 50 other pictures of Earhart will be used in an illustrated time line of her stay in the islands. On Jan. 12, 1935, Earhart took off from Wheeler and flew to Oakland, becoming the first person to make a solo trans-Pacific flight. The country went wild, and Earhart’s status as a modern heroine was assured. The exhibition starts on July 24, 2010 (Earhart’s birthday) and continues through the end of the year.
Hawaii Surfboard Exhibit
The Bishop Museum in Honolulu is presenting a new exhibit featuring rare surfboards and surfing images. On display will be more than 25 historic surfboards including some owned and used by Hawaiian ali‘i. Also from this amazing resource will be a selection of rare surfing images, some never published before. The exhibit called Surfing: Featuring the Historic Surfboards in Bishop Museum’s Collection runs from June 19 to September 6, 2010.
The Bishop Museum is designated as the State Museum of Natural and Cultural History whose mission is to study, preserve, and tell the stories of the natural and cultural history of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. It has more than 24 million catalogued objects – ranking them fourth in the United States and among the top ten in the world.
As surfing has grown so has the interest in its history. Hawaii’s early Polynesian settlers were among the first people to take to the ocean to master the art of he‘e nalu (wave-sliding), and there are not many surviving surfboards from back then, so these are wonderful historic artifacts. The first plank boards were shaped from trees, and you will see examples of surfboard design and construction over the years – from simple wood planks to modern materials.
Worldwide interest in surfing began when Hawaii Olympian and avid surfer Duke Kahanamoku became its ambassador. A handful of the photos in the exhibit are from Duke’s personal collection. The museum will also feature a modern surf simulator for you to test your surfing prowess.
Hawaii Surfing Reserves
Hawaii has some of the most famous and beautiful surf sites in the world, and now two of Hawai‘i’s most important and well-known surfing areas on Oahu are Surfing Reserves. The executive order formally “acknowledges the cultural, sports and historic significance of important surf sites in Hawai‘i,” and “raises public awareness about the importance of protecting, nourishing and developing Hawai‘i’s world famous surf sites.”
Duke Kahanamoku Surfing Reserve – which includes surf breaks bounded by the Ala Wai and the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium
North Shore Surfing Reserve – which includes surf breaks from Ali‘i Beach in Hale‘iwa to Sunset Beach
Surfers and spectators from all over the world come here every winter to experience the 25-foot spectacular waves at spots like the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay. The executive order does not provide any funding, but enables the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which is responsible for managing all waters and coastal areas of the state, to receive donations for identifying, nourishing, and protecting the Hawaii Surfing Reserves.
Kauai Lifeguard Tribute
Kauai beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, but they are also among the most dangerous because of large waves and strong currents. Lifeguards are stationed at the most popular beaches to provide information and assist you in case of an emergency. They want you to have a safe and enjoyable time at our beaches, so it is far better to recognize that a beach is too dangerous and move to another, than to attempt entering the ocean and risk injury. Because conditions at beaches change quickly, Kauai lifeguards encourage you to follow these rules:
Water Safety Rule #1
The best place to swim is in front of a lifeguard stand. If you choose to enter the water on a secluded beach, no matter how good a swimmer you are, you are making what may be a fatal mistake.
Water Safety Rule #2
Never turn your back on the water, not even for a photograph. Most people who get in trouble never intended to go in.
Water Safety Rule #3
If in doubt, don’t go out. Swimming in front of the strong currents sign is a bad idea, even for a strong, experienced swimmer.
Water Safety Rule #4
Don’t panic. Try to look at it as your own tread-water tour of Kauai. You will eventually be rescued or get pushed ashore.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
