Waikiki police station dedicated in Duke's name
By Jean Chow
Advertiser Staff Writer
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
It was the epitome of a perfect Hawai'i day — sun shining, waves crashing and trade winds blowing — as the Waikiki police substation yesterday was dedicated as the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Building.
With help from City Councilman Duke Bainum, Jo-Anne Kahanamoku, niece of Duke Kahanamoku, unveils a plaque on a pillar at the Waikiki police substation inscribed with the name of the surfer. The building, which sits near a statue of Duke Kahanamoku, was blessed and renamed yesterday in ceremonies attended by Mayor Jeremy Harris.
On what would have been the 111th birthday of the surfing legend, Kahanamoku family members, city officials and others gathered yesterday for the ceremony at the substation, just yards from Duke's statue.
"I think (the renaming) is wonderful and brings an important entity to our young people, who constantly need heroes," said Jo-Anne Kahanamoku, Duke's niece and president of the Kahanamoku Family Foundation.
City Councilman Duke Bainum, who proposed the resolution to rename the building last year, also was pleased. "(Duke Kahanamoku) was a fellow who made such a difference for not only Waikiki, but in Hawai'i and even the world." he said. "There's only a few people you can say that about."
After an opening prayer, kahu Sherman Thompson blessed the building and Jo-Anne Kahanamoku unveiled a sign bearing the new name on a pillar at the front of the building.
Mayor Jeremy Harris and Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue spoke of Duke Kahanamoku's contributions to Hawai'i. Donohue said the renaming of the building was especially befitting because Kahanamoku also had been a law enforcement officer, serving 26 years as the first territorial sheriff for the City and County of Honolulu.
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| The Waikiki police substation is now the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Building.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser |
"Duke Kahanamoku is synonymous with the water and the beach," said Honolulu Police Department Lt. Dave Eber, who has been working at the substation for nine years.
"The statue has been there for so long and the station is right there. I can't think of anyone better to name it after."
