Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 1994 — Spirit of aloha hits the waves at Biarritz Surf Festival [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Spirit of aloha hits the waves at Biarritz Surf Festival

The spirit of aloha went to the Atlantic coast of France when 20 Hawai'i surfers hit the town of Biarritz for the Biarritz Surf Festival. Eaeh year thousands attend this major European surf festival. Surfers eame from Australia, Canada, South America, the Unitea States and countries in Europe. The festival was dedicated to the memory of Hawai'i's most famous son, Duke Kahanamoku, said Earl Pamai Tenn, a friend of the Kahanamoku family. Special invited guest was Nadine Kahanamoku, the Duke's widow. Lavish festival programs and publicity featured the story of his life and photos of his career as athlete and ambassador of aloha. Even the opening ceremony borrowed from Hawaiian traditions. To open the surf meet, all the surfers paddled out from the shore ana formed a circle. In the middle of the circle they poured out vials of water coming from their native lands, to symbolize the commg together of many peoples. On the cliff above the festival beach, a giant-sized cutout of Duke and surfboard surveyed the scene. flanked by two giant Hawaiian flags. Taking titles in the international competition were Lanee Ho'okano (2nd plaee) and Rusty Keaulana tied with Alex Salazar of South America (3rd plaee). In the tandem eom petition, first plaee went to Melvin Puu and partner Claire Chouinard and third plaee to Zane Aikau and partner Tina Gardinier. Title winners won surfing sponsorships. The "Spirit of Aloha" award went to Buffalo Keaulana. Hawai'i's own Rell Sunn presented the awards and reported on the events to radio KCCN. Other Hawai'i surfers participating included Rabbit Kekai and Zane Aikau. Part of the week-long cultural exchange included Hawaiian ceremonies and performances of hula by a Paris-based hālau. A highlight event was a nighttime demonstration of tandem surfing under projected lights and lasers.

lnternational title winners (left to right): Lanee Ho'okano, Joel Tudor, Alex Salazar and Rusty Keaulana. Photo courtesy Earl Pamai Tenn