AQUATIC IN THE By Edwin North McClellan The tum ult over the Olympic Games of 1952 has faded away. At Helsinki, Fin­ land, swimmers of Hawaii surpassed the performances of the swimmers of any of the forty-eight States; but I rate our 1952-Hawaiian-Team behind 1920 and 1924 in that order. The ten World-Champions from Hawaii, who have won first-place Olympic gold-medals, form a very exclusive and distinguished group—Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, , Pua Kealoha (relay), Mariechen Wehselau (relay), Clarence “Buster” Crabbe, , Thelma Kalama (relay), , Yo- shinobu Oyakawa, and (relay). All these ten swimmers, as well as others of Hawaii who have scored points in the Olympics, have been nominated as members of the Hawaiian-Aquatic-Hall-of-Fame. In the Forecast, October, 1950, 1 wrote that George "D ad” Center "is among the ‘first ten in the Hawaiian-Hall-of- Fame,’ ” and that Dad “shares with the honor of being the Outrigger Canoe Club’s ‘most honored member.’ ” The Outrigger Canoe Club, its aquatic athletes, coaches and other members, have performed a fine share of the work as Hawaii achieved its Olympic victories; but the Club and members have much important work in the coming four years. Hawaii looks forward with hop'’ to of 1956 and backward to Athens in 1896 and all the other Olymp^ Games between, for inspiration. 1B96— ATHENS, GREECE vin, Tinker, W. Cooper, Willie Roth, The Republic of Hawaii under Presi­ George Crozier, W . L. Lyle, Jess Woods, dent Sanford Ballard Dole (later Presi­ Pete Baron, George Cooke, W ill Dixon, dent of the Outrigger Canoe Club) sent and diver George Freeth, might have no aquatic athletes to the initial modern scored points for Uncle Sam. Olympiad at Athens in 1896, although 190S— , Hawaii possibly had potential point- No aquatic athletes of Hawaii com­ winners in Kimokeo, Kapule and others peted in these Olympics; but Hawaii was including, reportedly, Chris Wiedemann awakening. The Outrigger Canoe Club on the Coast. Hawaii was voluntarily an­ was created on May 1, 1908, and many nexed to the USA in 1898. of its members had much to do with stir­ 1900— , ring up Olympic interest. Swim-relay Dan Renear, Kimokeo, Kuaiwa, Pua, races in the harbor between the Myrtles James McCandless and other swimmers, and the Healanis produced name-swim- were available in Hawaii but no effort mers. After the Healani Team had won was made by the Territory of Hawaii to a relay race from the Myrtle team, a send them to Paris in 1900. second was held across the Naval SlipA 1904— ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI the Harbor on July 10, 1909. The wk_ American swimmers and divers, among ning Myrtle Team was: Thompson, Paty, them Charles M. Daniels, finally won Padekin, Davis, W illie Roth and Dad gold-medals in the Olympic Games; but Hawaiian swimmers Ernest Kopke, K i­ Vol. 11 No. 10 mokeo, Tom Hustace, W ill Lyle and others did not compete at St. Louis. Dan Renear and George Freeth (diver) were reported on the Coast. 1906— ATHENS, GREECE (SPECIAL AND UNOFFICIAL) These Special Olympic Games were staged to boost interest in the London E C A S T Games of 1908. Hawaii sent no swim­ Issued by the mers or divers to Athens even though BOARD OF DIRECTORS Duke Paoa Kahanamoku (not yet six­ E. W. STENBERG ...... Editor teen) , Ernest Kopke, Tom Hustace, Law­ Bus. Phone 3-7911 Res. Phone 9-3664 rence Cunha, Carl Oss, Kerr, James Gir- FRED M O SHER . Advertising . Bus. Phone 9-4606

[4 ] Center. The defeated Healani swim­ mers were: Carl Oss, Lawrence Cunha, FORECAST BACK ISSUES WANTED William H. D. King, Robert K. Fuller, Our little OCC house publication the Joe Kamakau and Duke Paoa Kahana­ Forecast is very much in demand. In moku, not yet 19. (Picture in Forecast, fact so much so, that we have had several September, 1952, p. 12). Dad Center requests from libraries in Hawaii for started the final leg with quite a lead complete sets of all issues in order that over Duke but barely won from the swift- they may be bound and preserved for DPK. "This is the first time future generations. that it really dawned on me that I could You can help fill these requests if you swim really fast,” Duke told me not long will. While the Club has many of the ago. “Dad just beat me by a ‘touch’ and past issues there are some missing and it was then that they started talking if you have any or all of these numbers it about me being a real swimmer.” More will be appreciated if you will turn them than once Dad Center has told me that in to the Club marked “for the Editor of “we found Duke in this relay race. Duke Forecast.” won from me by a ‘touch’ and we knew Issues particularly wanted are: June then that we had a champion swimmer.” 1948, November and December 1948 and Forecast, October, 1950, p. 3). January 1949. JRORE SIGNS POINT TO A TEAM FOR 1912 Of course if you have other issues we The first realistic move toward getting will appreciate them as other numbers Hawaiian swimmers in the Olympic are getting short. Thanks for your ko- Games was organizing, under leadership kua. of Outrigger Canoe Club members, the “Hawaiian Association of the AAU,” in the late Spring of 1911 (Forecast, August, OUR WELCOME GUESTS 1952). Shortly after this the Hui Nalu From near and far the OCC has the was formally organized by E. K. “Dude" pleasure of entertaining many guests Miller (President and Captain) and Wil­ each month. Many are prominent in liam H. D. King (Secretary-Treasurer). civic, dramatic, political, business or The Hui Nalu immediately joined the other pursuits. All bring a bit of the rest AAU making its members eligible for a of the world to us. We trust that their proposed first AAU Swimming Meet. visit to the OCC was as pleasant to them The Hui Nalu, at a meeting on August as it was to have had them. Space does 4, 1911, elected “Dude” Miller, Bill King, not allow listing any but those who and R. W. Foster as delegates to the visited from affiliated Clubs. We do wish AAU. them all a heartfelt Aloha and hope for 'VAdmission-Day, August 12, 1911 was an early return to Hawaii nei. Jte date of the first AAU Swimming Meet, in Harbor at the Alakea AFFILIATED CLUBS Hilo Yacht Club—H. C. Lottis, Floyd W. McCoy. slip. Guy H. Tuttle (Secretary of the Aero Club of Oregon—Dr. R. M. Erwin, Jr. Old Pueblo Club—Mrs. H. B. Langers. OCC) was President of the AAU at this Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club—Richard Cleve- land, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sexton III, Dr. and Mrs. time (Forecast, August, 1950, p. 6; Au­ F. Frederic Snyder, Judy Snyder. gust, 1952). The OCC planned to enter Tattersalls C/iifc-Mr. John Hunter, Frank B. Paul. Athletic Club—Mr. and Mn. George Hadley. contestants in this First AAU Meet but San Diego Rowing C/u6~Michael La Bate. Terminal City Club—J. S. Marshall. discovered that their swimming-members Balboa Bay Club—Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn Bowen, Barbara had entered under other colors. Quite Steel, Lewis W. Stunston, Thomas A. Young. Arizona Club—J. G. M. Berry. chagrined were OCC members E. F. Me- New York Athletic Club—Jerome B. Crowley. American C/ub—Lloyd H. Chandler. lanphy, Watson Ballentyne, H. Chap­ Pasadena Athletic Club-Mn. H. W. Cunningham, Elea­ man and others. Duke Kahanamoku nor Sandford. Jonathan C/ufc—Hilding M. Anderson, Nanfred J. Dres­ (.Hui Nalu) wqn the 50, 100, and 220 ser, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Hoggmen, John H. Pettker, Joan Robinson. yard events. Vincent Genoves (Hui Club Del Afar—Linda Lee Brusse, Mrs. Lee Bruase, Ren Onatte, Lucille Riggs. Nalu) was victorious in the 440, 880 The San Diego Club—Mr. and Mrs. Wendell D. Arnold, yard, and mile races. Lawrence Cunha Mr. and Mrs. Andy Borthwick, Theodore Fintzelbei*, Cmdr. J. Hilt, Harley Knox, Joseph M. Mills, Harold (Healani) finished second in two events Suter, Mrs. Parker Seitz. (Continued on Page 16) Olympic Club—Mr. J. J. Smith. [ 5 ] OLYMPIC GAMES Kruger, John Kealoha (Jr.), Clarence (Continued from Page 5) Lane, Lukela Kaupiko, Richard Hol­ and second to Duke in the final lap of stein, George "Tough Bill" Keaweamahi; the relay. Dad Center (Myrtle) was sec­ divers Robert K. Fuller, St. Clair Tait, ond in the 220. George Freeth (Hea­ Lorrin Potter Thurston, Karl Krebs; lani) won the fancy-diving (202 points) plunge-for-distance C. Dudley Pratt; and from Robert K. Fuller (Healani), 198 women-swimmers Josephine Hopkins, points. Fuller also won the Plunge-for- Lucille M. Legros, Helen M. A. Rosa and Distance. “Duke Kahanamoku was Bernica Lane. known to be a fast sprinter,” reported 1920—, BELGIUM the Advertiser; “but not many people Dad Center, as Manager and Coach, thought that the youth was a world- had a powerful group of swimmers at the beater.” World-records were claimed for Olympic tryouts. Among them were: Duke in the 50 and 100 yard times but Duke Kahanamoku, Warren and Pua they were not allowed. “The course was Kealoha, William W. "Wild Bill” Harris surveyed” on August 14, 1911 and along (Jr.), , John Kelii, Harold the wharf, commented the Advertiser, it H. “Stubby” Kruger, H. Fred Kahele was "found to be one and one-sixteenth (U.S. Navy), J. K. Gilman (U.S. Navy) inches short.” And so, Duke Kahanamo- and Helen Moses (chaperoned by her, ku’s name was in world headlines. mother). Before leaving Honolulu id The first swimming-team of Hawaii to June, 1920, the Outrigger Canoe Club invade the Mainland was the two-man presented Dad Center (who was Presi­ Hui Nalu team of Duke Kahanamoku dent of the AAU) with a gold watch. An and Vince Genoves. Funds were raised AP dispatch of July 16, 1920 (published to send them. They departed from Ho­ in the Advertiser) reported that among nolulu early in 1912, accompanied by other Americans, Duke Kahanamoku, Lew Henderson and “Dude” Miller. Pua and Warren Kealoha, , Duke and Vince swam at several places. Ludy Langer, “Stubby” Kruger, Fred Ka­ Genoves did not make out so well and hele, and Helen Moses had been chosen he, Henderson and Miller returned, leav­ to represent the at Ant­ ing Duke under the very efficient coach­ werp. George (Dad) Center “became ing of my old friend George Kistler, head-man of the Olympic Team,” wrote swimming Coach of the University of Red McQueen of the Advertiser (Fore­ Pennsylvania at Philadelphia (Forecast, cast, October, 1950, p. 5; August, 1950, August, 1950, p. 6). pp. 10-11). The American Team sailed 1912—, on the SS Princess Matoika. Duke Ka­ Duke was selected a member of the hanamoku finished first and established American Olympic Swimming Team by a new world record in the 100-meter frey the Committee which omitted the name style;Pua Kealoha was second and B i\ of Charles M. Daniels, Olympic winner Harris third. Warren Kealoha won the of 1904 and 1908. At Stockholm, Duke 100-meter . Duke and Pua Kahanamoku broke the world’s record Kealoha were members of the winning for the 100-meter freestyle setting it at American 800-meter relay team. Fred Ka­ 1:3.4. Duke swam as a member of the hele finished fourth in the 400-meter second-place 800-meter relay team. On freestyle and fourth in the 1,500-meter his return to Honolulu, Hawaii pre­ freestyle. This 1920 Hawaiian Team was sented Duke with a house and lot in Wai­ the best we ever sent to the Olympics. kiki (Forecast, August, 1950). The Honolulu Chamber of Commerce 191«—SCHEDULED FOR BERLIN, GERM ANY- decorated each member of the returning CANCELLED team with a gold medal (Hawaiian An­ The First World War caused a cancel­ nual, 1921). lation of the 1916 Olympics. This was a 1924—PARIS, FRANCE great disappointment to swimmers and D. L. “Poupou” Conkling was Man­ divers of Hawaii such as: Duke Kahana­ ager of the Hawaiian Swimming Team moku, George "Pordgy” Cunha, John that was sent to the Olympic tryouts on Kelii, Frank “Stubby” Kruger, Harold the Mainland. The American Olympic [16] Committee selected Duke Paoa Kahana­ of- and his achievements in al­ moku, Samuel Alapai Kahanamoku, Pua most every sport. and Warren Kealoha, Bill Kirschbaum, 1936—BERLIN, GERMANY AND HITLER— Charlie Pung, Henry Luning and Marie­ HAWAII ABSENT chen Wehselau as members of the Amer­ Adolf Hitler opened the Olympic Win­ ican Team. Mr. Conkling, Mrs. E. Ful­ ter Games in a terrific blizzard. No aqua­ lard-Leo, Gay Harris, David Piikoi Ka­ tic athlete of Hawaii made the Olympic hanamoku, Dick Gartley .and Stubby Team. Richard Cooke (Jr.), of Yale Kruger accompanied the team to Paris, University, lost his chance to represent which sailed on the SS America (Star-Bul­ Hawaii at Berlin when the Olympic offi­ letin, July 3, 1924; Advertiser, July 20, cials, not having time to hold final trials 1924). Warren Kealoha won the 100- in the 800-meter freestyle, announced meter backstroke in 1:13.2. Mariechen that Cooke and two other swimmers was a member of the victorious 400-meter would be left behind (Advertiser, July relay team and second in the 100-meter 15, 1936). freestyle. Duke finished second to John­ 1940—TOKYO, JAPAN; THEN ny Weissmuller (in the 100-meter free­ HELSINKI, FINLAND-CANCELLED style) who set a new world record of 59 The 1940 Olympic Games were can­ seconds. Finishing third was Samuel Ala­ celled by the Second World War. Pearl pai Kahanamoku. William Kirschbaum Harbor came on Black-Sunday, Decem­ was third in the 200-meter breast-stroke. ber 7, 1941. Deeply disappointed by the The 1924 Olympics saw the second-best cancellation were: Kiyoshi (Keo) Naka- team sent out by Hawaii being excelled ma, Takashi Hirose, Jose Balmores, Car­ only by 1920. los Rivas, Takashi Nakama, Ben Castor, 1928—AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND James Tanaka, Barney Pung, Pete Pow- Dad Center was manager and coach of lison, Fred Brandt, B. Neunzig, Art Ru­ the Hawaiian contingent to the Olympic therford (Diver), and Olga Clarke, Fu- tryouts on the Mainland. Duke Kahana­ jiko Katsutani, Lulu Kea, T. Takeyama, moku (38 years) did not try for the team Midge Garnsey, Yvonne Hussey, Mary —he was in movies. Mariechen Wehselau Ann Hawkins, Mitsuko Higuchi and and Lily Bowmer May and others failed Coach Soichi Sakamoto. to make the Big Team. The American 1944—CANCELLED Team sailed on the SS President Roose­ The Second Warld War was raging. velt. Clarence "Buster” Crabbe finished Many swimmers and divers, including third in both the 400-meter and 1,500- Bill Smith and Kiyoshi (Keo) Nakama, meter freestyle. That’s all! were disappointed in their Olympic hopes for Hawaii. 1932—LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA j , Duke Kahanamoku (42 194B—LONDON, ENGLAND years), Manuella and Maiolo Kalili, Coaches Soichi Sakamoto and Yoshito Johnny Wood, and others of Hawaii, Sagawa took their charges to the Olympic tried for the American Olympic Team. tryouts. Jose Balmores, Halo Hirose, Duke finished third in his 100-meter free­ Bunny Nakama, Charles Oda, Pete Pow- style heat and failed to make the team. lison, Robert Kumagai, Robert Kang, Clarence “Buster” Crabbe was victor in Herman Kobayashi, Godfrey Kang and the only swimming-race won by America, failed to make the taking the gold-medal in the 400-meter American Olympic Team of which Bob freestyle in 4:48.4. Buster also was fifth Kiputh was head coach. Bill Smith and in the 1,500-meter freestyle. Manuella Thelma Kalama upheld the honor of Kalili finished fourth in the 100-meter Hawaii at London. Bill Smith acquired freestyle. As Duke-the-Magnificent came a gold-medal by winning the 400-meter to the end of a .brilliant aquatic trail we freestyle in 4:41 a new Olympic record, think that even a life-size statue of pure- and Bill was a member of the winning gold erected on the Beach at Waikiki American 800-meter relay team that cre­ would not completely express the appre­ ated a new world record of 8:46. Thelma ciation of Hawaii for the Bronze Duke- Kalama shared in the victory of the [17] victory of the American 400-meter relay team that established a new Olympic More Surf ’n Sand record of 4:29.2. Coach Soichi Sakamoto Jimmy Mann had a birthday last was present at these London Olympics as month. While having his daily lomi a spectator. lomi on the beach by King he fell asleep 1952—HELSINKI, FINLAND and was awakened by the beach gang Ford Konno won the 1,500-meter and headed by Splash Lyons singing “Happy set a new Olympic record of 18:30. Yo- birthday to you.” The awakening gave shinobu Oyakawa took first-place in the him such a start that Earl had to do the 100-meter backstroke in 1:5.4. Bill Wool- lomi all over again. sey and Ford Konno were members of the 111 victorious USA team in the 800-meter The group from the San Francisco relay which set a new Olympic record of Stock Exchange were given thrilling 8:31.1. Ford Konno finished second in the canoe rides thru the courtesy of Gay Har­ 400-meter freestyle. Evelyn Kawamoto ris. They think Hawaiian investments was third in the 400-meter freestyle and a fine—but canoe riding better. member of the 400-meter relay team that 111 finished third. was shut­ Our good member, citizen and friend out in the semi-finals of the 100-meter K. C. Leebrick just returned from a trip, freestyle. Coach Yoshito Sagawa returned to Washington where he delivered the to Hawaii after the Mainland trials. annual report of the Trust Territory to Coach Soichi Sakamoto accompanied the the United Nations. “K.C.” also took Hawaiian swimmers to Helsinki. The time out to visit his children in New work of both these splendid coaches was York. He also gained a few lbs. but still of great help to Hawaii and to Head- looks fit. Welcome home, Karl. Coach Matt Mann. This 1952 Olympic 111 contingent from Hawaii was the third- Bob Crockett and Mrs. C. have arrived best that Hawaii has sent to the Olympics home after an extended trip to South being excelled only by 1920 and 1924 in America and the mainland. You may that order. remember Bob’s letter which appeared 1956—MELBOURNE, in an early number of the Forecast. He Let us all hope that a Third World told us of the Waikiki Club at Lima and War will not cause a cancellation of the other interesting stories. Aloha to you 1956 Olympic Games at Melbourne. We both. certainly would enjoy reading of Hawai­ i i i ian yachtsmen, motor-boatmen, surf- Alaska, Japan, Korea—and then a dip boarders, outriggerites, but especially at Waikiki—General Lem Shepherd took divers, preparing to compete at Mel­ time out Oct. 2nd. | bourne. We need a dive-coach and a 111 ' fifty-meter swim-pool in the OCC or Sir Frank Beaurepaire visited his old Hotel Grounds. An appropriate slogan Friend "Dad" Center for three days in of the OCC could be—"A Diver from September on his way back down under Hawaii for Melbourne in 19561” In 1912 to Melbourne, Australia. He was head Denmark won the “four-oared /triggers” timer at the Olympics in Finland and race so why not an Olympic OU Trigger brings the Olympics to Australia in 1956. canoe race at Melbourne in 1956 with Frank is an old friend of the OCC and entries from Hawaii, California, Philip­ mighty welcome. pines, Australia and Mid-Pacific. They i i i do have Canadian-canoe and kayak (Es­ Jack Sturrock, a great yachtsman who kimo canoe) races on the Olympic Pro­ captained the Aussie in the Dragon class gram. of yachts in the games for Australia also Now is not the time for Hawaii to visited us during September. A fine forget but rather to start preparing for sportsman and a grand fellow, he repre­ the Olympic Games at Melbourne, Aus­ sents the best from the land of the kan­ tralia in 1956. garoo. [ 18]