By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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To those who knew Duke Kahanamoku, the acclaimed Olympian swimmer and surfer was a role model.
He was humble, simple and serene — and the epitome of a Hawaiian.
In "Duke Kahanamoku: Hawaiian Soul," an hourlong documentary timed to the 115th anniversary of his birthday, his friends and kin paint a revealing portrait of a modest man credited with introducing surfing to the world but struggling to find a life after his initial fame.
"If you're looking for a role model, Duke's the guy," said entertainer Don Ho, who was a staple at a now-gone Waikiki nightclub named after Kahanamoku.
"He was a pure Hawaiian — big, ... gentle," said his friend, Bill Morris.
"This guy was King Kamehameha — everybody knew Duke Kahanamoku," said singer Danny Kaleikini.
"Humble, quiet man," said surfer Rabbit Kekai.
"He was the man," said the late Henry Ayau, who managed the Duke's club.
"Duke Kahanamoku embodies Hawaiian soul," said retired newsman Bob Sevey, who narrates the program.
Through interviews current and vintage, Kahanamoku is depicted as an earnest Hawaiian who worked and played with unceremonial grace. There's footage of him surfing and paddling, and TV interviews noting his fame across the globe (notably, a "This Is Your Life" segment in 1957 that included a reunion with his swimming rival Johnny Weissmuller).
Poor most of his life, Kahanamoku comes off as a victim of sorts, his fame did not readily translate to fortune. Though globally renowned as an athlete and bit player in numerous Hollywood films (he was a contract player for Paramount Pictures), Kahanamoku was rich only in the recognition factor.
As the documentary shows, he had difficulty finding a worthy job after sports and show biz, so he resorted to a city maintenance position, even pumping gas. Later he was elected sheriff, a post he held for 26 years.
In 1940, he married Nadine Alexander, who helped him open a bank account. Tobacco heiress Doris Duke graciously offered the couple a $12,000 loan so they could acquire a Black Point home.
The charm of the show, written by Robert Pennybacker and directed by Phil Arnone and co-produced by Arnone and Lawrence Pacheco, lies in simple observations from a host of Kahanamoku admirers:
To folks who flocked to see him, Kahanamoku was somewhat of a pied piper of aloha. Arthur Godfrey, Peter Lawford, John Wayne, Richard Boone, Buster Crabbe, Shirley Temple and John F. Kennedy made a point of contacting him when visiting. The queen mother of England even danced hula with him.
When Kahanamoku died in 1977, Godfrey, a radio and TV star, delivered the eulogy and called him a "great champion." Look at photos of the beachfront mourners gathered for the scattering of his ashes off Waikiki and you'll see the late Mayor Neal Blaisdell, the late Gov. John Burns, and the late Sen. Spark Matsunaga.
The site is near the statue of Kahanamoku, his open arms still welcoming Waikiki visitors.
DUKE'S HO'OLAULE'A:
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
