Hawai'i Waterman Hall of Fame

2010 Inductees

Eddie Aikau – Surfing, Ocean Safety

Eddie Would Go! The phrase pays tribute to the heroic Eddie Aikau.

Bravery was in Eddie's DNA. He was the North Shore's first lifeguard, saving hundreds of lives, and loved to surf the big waves. He won the Duke Kahanamoku Surfing Contest in 1977.

Eddie was devoted to the Hawaiian cultural renaissance and honored to crew the Hokule'a sailing canoe for its historic voyage to Tahiti in 1978.

Wally Froiseth – Surfing, Paddling

Fearless and adventurous, Wally Froiseth pioneered the development of the "Hot Curl" surfboard in the mid-1930s, which provided the speed and control to handle the big waves he loved to attack.

Wally conquered Makaha and the North Shore and helped inspire the global migration to these iconic surf sites. A true waterman, he also led his team to victory in canoe paddling regattas annually.

Fred Hemmings – Surfing, Paddling

Fred Hemmings was one of the world's best surfers by age 18, winning the Makaha International Surfing Championships and Peruvian International Championships in 1964. Four years later, he won the World Surfing Championships.

Fred also helped promote surfing to the world, founding and producing several Hawai'i surfing competitions, including the Triple Crown of Surfing.

An accomplished paddler and steersman, his teams won four Moloka'i-to-O'ahu canoe races.

Duke Kahanamoku – Swimming, Surfing, Paddling

Many consider the legendary Duke Kahanamoku as Hawai'i's greatest athlete. Duke first made his mark as the world's fastest swimmer and an Olympic champion, winning six medals, including three gold medals, between 1912-1932.

He is also widely recognized as "the Father of International Surfing," having spread the gospel to surfers worldwide.

Later in life, Duke's charisma and warmth led him to being named Hawai'i's official Ambassador of Aloha.

Buffalo Keaulana – Surfing

The patriarch of Makaha's "first family," Buffalo Keaulana's enduring legacy of Aloha has touched generations of ocean lovers and surfers worldwide.

Buffalo's list of accomplishments include being a champion surfer and bodysurfer, saving lives as a lifeguard, founding the annual Buffalo's Big Board Surfing Classic, and helping to perpetuate the renaissance of Hawaiian culture.

Most of all, Buffalo has shown everyone how to cherish the ocean way of life.

Rabbit Kekai – Surfing, Paddling

A fun-loving Waikïkï beach boy legend, Rabbit Kekai is admired by surfers around the world as a groundbreaking pioneer and champion.

Among his achievements were winning the Makaha International Surfing Championships, promoting the North Shore as a surfing hot spot, and popularizing hot-dogging on short boards.

Rabbit was also a master paddler, winning paddling competitions in Hawai'i and worldwide, including the Moloka'i-to-O'ahu canoe race.

Keo Nakama – Swimming

Keo Nakama was one of Hawai'i's greatest and hardest-working swimmers.

Attending Ohio State University in the 1940s, the "Hawaiian Flying Fish" won eight Big Ten titles, 27 national championships, 13 NCAA and AAU titles, and five Pan American Games championships. Only World War II kept him from the Olympics.

Keo became the first person to swim the 27-mile Moloka'i-O'ahu channel, doing so in 1961 at age 40.

Nappy Napoleon – Paddling

Nappy Napoleon's lifelong passion for canoe paddling has carried him to inspiring exploits.

As founder and head coach of Anuenue Canoe Club, Uncle Nappy's teams have raced worldwide.

Most remarkably, in 2007 Nappy completed his 50th consecutive Moloka'i Hoe, with a crew comprised of his five sons and three grandsons. The grueling 41-mile race from Moloka'i to Waikïkï is considered the world championship of long-distance canoe paddling.

Rell Sunn – Surfing, Paddling

Revered as the "Queen of Makaha," Rell Sunn was a champion surfer with a legacy of pioneering triumphs for women in ocean sports.

Being first was Rell's trademark. She was Hawai'i's first female lifeguard in 1977, an original member of the first women's professional surfing tour, and helped found the Women's Professional Surfing Association.

In 1982, Rell ranked #1 in the international professional surfer standings.

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