Epic sunsets, sparkly surf, thatʻs summertime! Waikīkī stories this week on FRESH PACIFIC. Sit back and enjoy surf historian John Clark describing Waikīkī in terms of its water flow and its people. He describes the pivotal Ala Wai dredging, then the hotels starting in the 1900ʻs. The beach boys! WWII, then movie stars and statehood. Throughout, the amazing lacy surf breaks that attracted aliʻi (royalty) of old, and continue to distinguish Oʻahuʻs South shore today.

John adds Kapiʻolani Park history and the competitive swimming culture of the 1920ʻs onward. Olympic swimming champion, Duke Kahanamoku, who practiced in Honolulu Harbor and at Waikiki beach, was a bridge between Hawaiʻi and the rest of the world.

ʻWhen he actually got into swimming pools, he was into fresh water and walls where you could make a turn and push off, so his times got even better." John describes one of Dukeʻs unforgettable rides, one that people are still trying to match.

I have to gaze skyward in thanks when John points out that Kapiʻolani Park could very well be a mish mash of hotels right to the foot of Diamond Head if King Kalākaua had not set that glorious acreage aside, a tribute to his wife, Queen Kapiʻolani.

Music this week is from Steve and Teresa. Their distinctive sound has never been duplicated. Or surpassed. Their first release, Caching a Wave, was recorded in one 3-hour session in 1981, just the two of them. Itʻs a killah. Iʻve bought and given away three copies of the vinyl re-release since it came out at Aloha Got Soul. So happy to play a few cuts for you with this week.

John is equally engaging on camera, you may enjoy this Hawaiʻi Department of Education video that features John on the topic of Waikiki surf breaks.

https://uhalumni.org/manoa/story/historian-firefighter-writer-says-place-names-capture-history

I never forget the amazing book from UH Press called Waikīkī, A History of Forgetting and Remembering by Andrea Feeser and Gaye Chan. I love this book for helping me sort out my emotions about Waikīkī.

Because everything they say about it being totally magic? Itʻs true despite everything weʻve done.

Feeser and Chan help me see tension inherent in the concept of "vacation mode"-- a state of entitlement with no responsibility. How can? I see us now trying to get tourists to care. And itʻs deeper than that.

Feeser and Chan contend that the logic of colonialism and capitalism is what makes us desire this exploitative idea of the "good life."

And for people who have saved 20 years for this very special vacation in Hawaiʻi, what you seek really is here!

And weʻre looking for ways to share it with you.

#Waikiki #Surf #Hawaii #Surfing