'Dugie' Davidson, noted photographer, dead at 90
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Douglas "Dugie" Davidson, retired owner of Davidson Photography and longtime photographer for Punahou School, died April 17. He was 90.
Davidson was born in 'Ewa and grew up on Kaua'i. He got his first camera — an Eastman Kodak box — as a youth and became fascinated with photography.
"Dugie" Davidson also made cribbage boards.
He built his own darkroom at Makaweli while working for Hawaiian Sugar Co. on Kaua'i. Just before World War II, Davidson moved to Los Angeles to improve his photography skills.
Davidson landed a job with Northrop Aircraft as an assistant to the chief photographer. He later went to the California Institute of Technology as a photography instructor.
Davidson returned to Hawai'i in 1944 and began his long career as a photographer and instructor. In 1945, he became the official photographer of Punahou School and went on to photograph two generations of students.
In addition to his photography work, Davidson was an accomplished woodworker who made cribbage boards out of exotic woods, which he sold at the Punahou carnival. He also was a 32nd degree Mason Scottish Rite.
Davidson is survived by companion Edna Estrella and godchild Patsy Boyle.
A Masonic service will be held at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at O'ahu Cemetery. Donations may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 1310 Punahou St., Honolulu, HI 96826; or Punahou School, 1601 Punahou St., Honolulu, HI 96822.
