Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 108 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Governor designate the month of August, 2002, as the "Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Ho`olaulea" to commemorate the achievements of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Your Committee finds that in his youth, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku became a master surfer, utilizing a 16-foot long wooden surfboard that weighed 114 pounds, which eventually lead to his current recognition as the "father of international surfing" and his selection to the International Surfing Hall of Fame.

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku's many other athletic accomplishments included setting United States records in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle swim, dominating the swimming events at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, including setting the world record in the 100-meter freestyle; competing and winning gold, silver, and bronze medals in subsequent Olympic Games in 1920, 1924, and 1932; and being a charter member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1965.

Your Committee also finds that on August 24, 2002, the 112th anniversary of his birth, the United States Postal Service will oversee the unveiling and dedication of the first date of issuance of a postage stamp bearing the likeness of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku for general circulation throughout the United States.

Your Committee believes that it is appropriate to commemorate the life of a man who for so long embodied the spirit of the Hawaiian people and their culture and who truly was an ambassador of aloha to the world.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 108 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Technology.