SR208

WHEREAS, Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana was an iconic surfer and lifesaver who was born in Honolulu on September 2, 1935, and learned to surf as a young boy in the gentle rollers off Waikiki; and

WHEREAS, Keaulana eventually graduated to the level of "beach boy" before his family settled in his home community of Makaha, and Keaulana grew to be known as one of Hawaii's most naturally talented surfers; and

WHEREAS, his smooth style, switch-stance skills, and "nose for the pocket" made him a favorite at the annual Makaha International contest, an event he won in 1960; and

WHEREAS, Keaulana captured six of the top-four finishes in the contest between 1957 and 1965, and these achievements led many to consider him the world's best bodysurfer at the time; and

WHEREAS, along with his renowned surfing talent, Keaulana was named Makaha's chief lifeguard in 1969, a position he held for over two decades, earning him the honorary title of "Mayor of Makaha" and the honor of statue of his likeness in front of the Makaha library; and

WHEREAS, in 1976, Keaulana was on the first voyage of the Hokulea to Tahiti, acting as the voyaging canoe's steersman; and

WHEREAS, his unique nickname, "Buffalo", is derived from his constant connection and companionship with the water, in addition to his "large head and copious amounts of hair", as his friends would describe him; and

WHEREAS, Keaulana was also honored with an annual surf contest and beach party in his name, Buffalo's Big Board Classic, which continues to be a community mainstay today; and

WHEREAS, in 2010, Keaulana was inducted into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, perhaps his greatest honor and achievement was becoming the patriarch of his own West Oahu dynasty, known as "Makaha's first family", currently in its third generation, with two of his six children having noteworthy careers in surfing: Brian, a world class waterman and big-wave surfer; and Rusty, a three-time world longboard champion (1993-1995); and

WHEREAS, Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana's enduring legacy of aloha has touched generations of ocean lovers and surfers worldwide; and

WHEREAS, as a friend and fellow beach boy of Duke Kahanamoku, Keaulana's contributions to the sport of surfing and Hawaiian cultural restoration are everlasting; and

WHEREAS, as Makaha's first lifeguard, Keaulana's legacy extends beyond surfing and his ambassadorship of aloha and he not only was essential in protecting swimmers in Makaha's rough waters but was a father figure to many of West Oahu's youth; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that this body recognizes September 2 of each year as Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana Day in the State of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana Day shall not be construed as a state holiday; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana Day

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	208
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII