Capturing his spirit

Mike Sciacca

Hawaiian legend and martial arts teacher David Nuuhiwa Sr. was

inducted Friday into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame in front of Huntington

Surf and Sport.

Nuuhiwa, who id noted for giving so much to so many throughout his

many years in the surfing industry, was recognized for his commitment

to the “spirit of surfing and its Hawaiian origins.”

He has dedicated his life to the sport as well as the martial arts

form, Danzan Ryu.

“I want to say thank you, thank you, to everybody for this day,”

said Nuuhiwa, who was born in 1925. “I don’t like to get all the

credit, but this is quite an honor.

“I extend my love, friendship and blessing to everyone.”

Nuuhiwa was presented with a trophy for his outstanding

contributions and achievements in the world of surfing, then placed

his hand and foot prints in a cement block located near a palm tree

at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway that he

inscribed, “Uncle David Nuuhiwa Sr., Dec. 10, 2004.”

Having recently had a relapse with cancer, Nuuhiwa sat in a

wheelchair during the induction ceremony and was surrounded by his

family: wife, Lillian, son, David Jr. -- a surfing legend -- his

daughter, Melody, and grandchildren, Corinne and Kekoa.

He was slated to be inducted during next summer’s ceremony during

the U.S. Open of Surfing, but due to his relapse of cancer, the

Surfers’ Hall of Fame committee decided to move his induction up.

“This day means everything to our family,” Melody Nuuhiwa-Adams,

an Anaheim resident, said. “My father is a wonderful man. He’s my

life, and it’s so wonderful to see him be honored today.”

Nuuhiwa, known in the surfing community as “Uncle,” was a “natural

inclusion” into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, said Aaron Pai, Surfers’

Hall of Fame committee member and owner of Huntington Surf and Sport.

For a man who had blessed several events in Surf City, it was only

fitting that Nuuhiwa was blessed Friday with a 75-degree day and

6-foot swells as a backdrop to the event.

“He is a surfing legend,” Pai said. “He has blessed most of the

U.S. surf events, Duke’s restaurant and Huntington Surf and Sport. He

represents the Hawaiian spirit, with his actions and words.

“His recent relapse is a reminder to us how fragile life is. We

want to capture his spirit while he is feeling well.”

The induction ceremony was emceed by Mike Morgan and Corky

Carroll.