The Word of the Day is "He'e Nalu"

Credit: Depositphotos.com/Tomas Del amo

Aloha mai kākou,


Surrounded by blue oceans and sandy beaches, today’s word refers to an ancient Hawaiian art and sport.  He'e nalu (heh-eh-nah-loo) means to surf, surfing, or wave sliding.  The Ali'i (ah lee`ee or ruling chiefs) would prove their skills by making a board with the choicest woods (usually acacia koa, breadfruit, and wiliwili ‘wee lee wee lee’).  The plank was up to 24 ft long, and they would swim out into the ocean, laying down on the board and eventually standing on it, catching the waves. It is said that the Ali'i Kaumuali'i (the last independent king of Kaua'i) was quite famous for his surfing.  But it was not until 1769 that Joseph Banks was the first to record Hawaiian surfing, on his trip with Captain Cook.

Credit: Depositphotos/Jeff Whyte

With the arrival of missionaries from Scotland and Germany, surfing and other leisure activities were either discouraged or forbidden.  Surfing had almost disappeared in the 20^th century, along with many Hawaiian traditions and practices. In 1915, it was Duke Kahanamoku (kah hah nah mow koo), who introduced Hawaiian surfing to Australia.  His board is on display at the Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club in Sydney, Australia.  He was an Olympic medalist (in swimming) and exposed the sport of surfing to the world.  When you visit Waikīkī, there is a statue of Duke next to the Moana (mow wah nah) hotel.  Whenever I pass by, there are flower lei strewn upon his arms.  Don’t forget to take a picture with the Duke, as he was one of the most renowned Hawaiian surfers!

A hui hou,

Haunani