26/08/2022
Today would have been Duke Kahanamoku’s birthday. He is credited as being the father of modern surfing and although never visited the UK, he did have close links and play a significant part in the history of British surfing.
Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was born on August 24, 1890 in the Kalia District of Honolulu to Duke Halapu and Julia Paakonia Lonokahikini Paoa Kahanamoku. His father, a police officer, was born during a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh to Hawaii in 1869, and had been given the first name Duke to commemorate the event. When his first-born son arrived, the elder Kahanamoku passed the name along.
The connection to the UK continued when Prince Edward had his first official trip to Waikiki in April 1920. He was taken out in an outrigger canoe, then later in the day was coaxed into standing up on a surfboard to ride the waves for the first time by Duke Kahanamoku.
The future King Edward VIII was so stoked on surfing that he ordered the royal ship HMS Renown to return for 3 days in September just to surf! On this secret surf trip he hooked up with Duke’s brother David Kahanamoku, and along with his great friend Lord Louis Mountbatten, they went surfing every day. We have the photos in the Museum of British Surfing that were signed by Edward and Louis as a thank you to their hosts, which we believe is the earliest photograph of a British person standing on a surfboard.
The Museum of British Surfing also has a replica of David Kahanamoku’s surfboard, shaped by Greg Hall from 100 year old koa wood. This is on display in the early surfing heritage section.
Our Royal family continued its links with the Duke when in 1966 the Queen Mother visited Hawaii and danced the hula with him at a special reception in Honolulu.
Sadly he passed away in Honolulu on January 22 1968.
You can learn more about the Duke and the royal connections in surfing by visiting the Museum of British Surfing in Braunton. We are open 11am to 3pm Wednesday to Sunday.
