The Cyclorama of Kilauea at the Chicago World’s Fair, 1893.

Hawaiian Boys at Chicago.

There are eight Hawaiian singing youths at the Cyclorama of Kilauea the Crater of Pele at Chicago, and it would appear as if they are on their way home with Moeheau [Mooheau] aboard the steamship Monowai, or perhaps aboard the Australia. Mr. Whitney saw and met with them in Chicago a few weeks ago. All of them were in good health, and they sang like the call of lovebirds. And everyone who entered to see the exhibit of the cyclorama of Kilauea crater were very amazed.

Continue reading

Duke Kahanamoku at the Lei Day celebration at Honolulu Hale, 1948.

SHERIFF DUKE P. KAHANAMOKU and Pacific Queen Nola Rose were greeted enthusiastically by the audience at the city hall Lei Day observance. Wearing a lei, hibiscus in her hair and a colorful print dress, the Australian blonde was a contrasting, yet harmonious note, in the ensemble of color and gaiety at the city hall.—Star-Bulletin photos.

(Star-Bulletin, 5/3/1948,  p. 11)

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume LIV, Number 17356, Page 11. May 3, 1948.

Duke in the movies, 1922.

Featured At Tank Dedication

PROMINENT among the leading lights at the dedication of the Punahou tank were the group pictured above. They are, from left to right, Duke P. Kahanamoku, Mrs. David Wark Griffiths, Oscar Henning, Duke’s manager; and Dad Center Continue reading

A song honoring Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, 1912.

HE MELE NO DUKE KAHANAMOKU

Kaulana Hawaii a puni ke Ao,
Ia oe e Duke Kahanamoku;
Nau i alo aku na kai loa,
Pakipika me ka Atelanika;
Haalele mai oe i ke one hanau,
Maluna o ka mokuahi Honolulana;
Ike oe i ka nani o Maleka,
Ma neia hana he heihei au;
Ike oe i ka hau-oki o Kaleponi,
Me ka uluwehi o ka Ipuka Gula;

Haalele oe i ka nani o Kaleponi,
No na kulanakauhale o ka Hikina;
Peneselavania ame Nu Ioka,
No ke komo i ka hui Olimapika;
Ku’i mai ka lono puni Hawaii,
Ua lanakila oe Duke Kahanamoku;
He moho Au hoi no Ameria,
E paa i ka moto haneri-mita;
Heihei Au nui o ke Ao nei,
Kulanakauhale o Sekokahama. Continue reading

The beginnings of the Merrie Monarch Festival, 1964.

Hilo Plans Gay Events For Kalakaua Festival

By WALT SOUTHWARD
Advertiser Staff Writer

HILO — A parade, with Duke Kahanamoku as grand marshal.

A relay race, with boys using fresh mullet as batons.

A beard contest, with some 50 entrants expected.

A bicycle race, from Kohala to Hilo.

A town, done over in the era of Hawaii’s “Merry Monarch,” King Kalakaua.

These are just a few of the things being set up as Hilo goes into the final weeks of preparation for its “Merry Monarch Festival,” scheduled to take place here from April 1 to 4. Continue reading

Duke, the true sportsman! 1916.

WIN OR LOSE KAHANAMOKU WEARS SMILE

Duke Kahanamoku, Greatest of Swimmers.

“The biggest thing in sport? It is the heart to accept defeat gracefully.”

The Duke Kahanamoku, greatest of swimmers, has just been beaten, together with his teammates, in the grueling 300-yard exposition relay swim at San Francisco by the Illinois Athletic club.

His smile and unstinted praise for the victors gave his words a personal application. “The duke” knows how to lose as well as to win. Continue reading

Champions, Duke Kahanamoku and Frances Cowells, 1915.

WHEN CHAMPIONS MEET

Duke Kahanamoku and Frances Cowells, two of America’s greatest swimmers. The Duke was the hero of the last Olympiad and is the holder of several world’s records, while Miss Cowells holds four American records. The picture was snapped at the World’s Fair in San Francisco shortly after the exposition swimming meet, of which Miss Cowells was the undefeated champion among the women. This is an unusual picture of the swimmers as it shows them in their street clothes.

(Day Book, 8/11/1915,  p. 24)

WHEN CHAMPIONS MEET

The Day Book, Volume 4, Number 268, Page 24. August 11, 1915.

Swimming trophies brought home by the Hawaii boys, 1913.

HAWAII SWIMMERS BROUGHT HOME “THE BACON”

Yesterday and today a good-sized crowd gathered about the window of Thrum’s book store, on Fort street, admiring the cups and medals brought back by the Hawaii swimmers. The lion’s share of these are the property of Duke Kahanamoku, who now has a large enough collection of gold medals to start a jewelry store.

In the above picture, the cups, from left to right, are for the rough water swim at Redondo; the Indoor Yacht Club cup, for the team making the greatest number of points at the San Francisco meet; the cup presented to W. T. Rawlins, manager of the Hui Nalu team by Charles Y. Williamson of the British Empire Club, and Al Coney of the South End Rowing Club; and the relay cup, won at San Francisco by the Hui Nalu team.

The medals are for first prize in the 50, 100, 220, 440 yard, and the 50 yard back stroke, won by Duke at San Francisco; second prize in the back stroke, won by D. Kaupiko; third prize in the half mile, won by Frederick Wilhelm; a gold medal presented by the Los Angeles Athletic Club to Duke; and a first prize medal won by Duke at the Los Angeles Swimming Association meet.

The trophy presented to W. T. Rawlins is a handsome loving cup, which was given the local man at the Stewart Hotel just before the team left San Francisco.

[I wonder if we will be able to see any of these at the upcoming Duke exhibit at the Bishop Museum!]

(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7/22/1913, p. 9)

HAWAII SWIMMERS BROUGHT HOME "THE BACON"

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XX, Number 6643, Page 9. July 22, 1913.

Duke Kahanamoku trophy, a champagne cup? 1913.

LOVING CUP USED FOR WINE BOWL

Duke Kahanamoku’s Trophy Is Utilized by Colonel Parker for Purpose Designed

Aboard the liner Sierra a loving cup was used yesterday for the purpose for which it was designed.

The cup was one of the trophies carried home by Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian swimmer, who sailed on the vessel for his home.

Colonel Sam Parker was also a passenger. The colonel insisted on filling the cup with champagne. He then invited Duke’s friends into the Sierra’s saloon and, passing the brimming bowl to a pretty girl, begged her to drink [to] the dark skinned swimmer’s health.

Until the cup was empty everybody was Duke’s devoted friend.

(San Francisco Call, 8/13/1913, p. 4)

LOVING CUP USED FOR WINE BOWL

The San Francisco Call, Volume 114, Number 74, Page 4. August 13, 1913.