Posted on: Saturday, August 24, 2002

People make Duke stamp a reality

• Beach Boys share memories of Duke

Dukie Kuahulu places a lei on the statue of Duke Kahanamoku at Waikiki Beach. A 15-foot-long maile lei, which was made by prison inmates at Kulani Correctional Facility, also graces the famous statue. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

The celebration is for Duke Kahanamoku, but the stamp is for the people who loved him.

When the U.S. Postal Service dedicates a stamp in honor of Kahanamoku today, it will have been made possible by thousands of signatures on petitions from Washington to Waikiki.

Family and friends of the legendary waterman had lobbied government officials to create a stamp as early as 1983, said Pamai Tenn, a Kahanamoku historian who served for 23 years as the personal representative for Nadine Kahanamoku, the surfer's widow. Nadine visited then-U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater in Washington to pitch the idea, Tenn said.

But the effort would experience years of failure before it succeeded.

There were three attempts in the 1990s, with signatures gathered during each effort. The stamp being released today got its first serious push in 1999.

Part of the argument was that only one person of Hawaiian blood had ever been on a stamp — King Kamehameha I.

Tenn distributed petitions to surf shops, the University of Hawai'i, hotel swimming pools in Waikiki, anywhere he thought a supporter could be found. Similar efforts were undertaken at the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach, Calif., and by The Surfrider Foundation in the nation's capital, he said.

And the people signed.

"If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have this stamp," Tenn said.

Duke was the father of modern surfing, a four-time Olympian and an ambassador of aloha. His speed as a swimmer won him five medals in two decades — three of them gold — and his charm and good sportsmanship won the hearts of people worldwide.

Nationwide, 62.8 million stamps were created. About 2 million will be available in Hawai'i. The stamps will be available today only at post offices within Honolulu — ones with a ZIP code that begins with 968 — said Felice Broglio, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service in Hawai'i. The stamps go on sale in the rest of Hawai'i and nationwide on Monday.

The portrait on the stamp was done by Michael J. Deas, a New Orleans artist. He based it on a 1918 photograph from Bishop Museum.

The plea for the Duke stamp was one of about 50,000 requests made each year to commemorate people.

"People generally have to build a case for the person," Broglio said. "Everyone has their own hometown hero. Unless there is wider appeal, it is generally rejected."

The signature campaign was dubbed "Do It for Duke," she said.

"They were definitely determined to get it," Broglio said. "I am certainly happy they did it. It is a wonderful tribute to him."

The stamp will be dedicated in a ceremony on the shores of Kalia Bay, where Duke grew up. A delegation with a 30-inch by 38-inch replica of the stamp will arrive at 1:30 p.m. aboard the voyaging canoe Hawai'i Loa.

The day was chosen because today is the 112th anniversary of Duke's birth. He died in 1968.

"We plan to have at least 112 canoes and surfboards out there like candles on his cake, the ocean," Broglio said.

But farther up the beach, not to be overlooked, will be a 15-foot-long maile lei on Duke's famous statue. Tenn said it represents "one of the most beautiful things happening" during the festivities honoring Duke.

The lei, hung from Duke's outstretched arms yesterday afternoon, was made by prison inmates at Kulani Correctional Facility, Tenn said.

They've done it off and on since the statue was created in 1990. They give it to the Duke and he gives it to the people, Tenn said.

The reasoning is simple.

"The people," Tenn said, "did a great many things for him."

Reach Mike Gordon at 525-8012 or mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.