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DAVID NUUHIWA |
There were no announcements
sent out. The press was not notified. It was a rare mid-winter
induction ceremony for the Surfers Hall of Fame. No television
cameras or news crews on hand. None the less, and by word
of mouth and only a few days notice, there was a packed house
on hand at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway
in Huntington Beach to witness David Kawaikoolihili Nuuhiwa
put his hands and feet into the famous cement and become
the newest member of the elite Hall of Fame.
Known affectionately by the surfing community simply as 'Uncle David,' the graceful
Hawaiian quietly embedded his limbs and signed the slab as Uncle David Nuuhiwa
to the delight of the truly adoring crowd.
There are many things that David Nuuhiwa is known for. For one he is the father
of former United States Surfing Champion and number one surfer in the world,
David Nuuhiwa. Many know him as David Sr. It was under his guidance that young
David developed quickness and agility as a pre teen surfer in Honolulu, Hawaii
before coming to the mainland and becoming one of the greatest surfers of all
time. |
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Uncle David is also a legend in the world of martial arts.
Awarded title of Doctor and Professor Kaito by high officials
and Black Belts of the Orient. Kaito literally means 'The best
of the East and West.' David now makes his home in Anaheim and
conducts a school in the ancient Oriental arts of self-defense.
From 1953 to 1965 David had 822 matches and untold honors, never having lost
a bout in competition. He has won the rare red belt in Karate, of which he is
one of only five in the world to hold this rank and the only American ever to
hold this honor.
Among his famous feats of skill, David has battled an eight foot Watsui Warrior
in Africa and has killed a charging bull with one snap of his wrist and powerful
shoulders. This feat was demonstrated on such television shows as 'You Asked
For It.' He also appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and the Steve Allen show and
was a stuntman in the movie 'Mr. Roberts.'
The majority of all of David's winnings have been donated to his favorite charity,
needy children. He has made large contributions to the Shrine Hospital in Hawaii
and the year that Hawaii became a state he was selected as 'King of Aloha Week'
in Honolulu.
Through David's accomplishments and his work with needy, mentally retarded and
birth defected children he has truly earned the rank of the only living 12th
degree Black Belt in the World.
In Surfing, Uncle David has been a friend and adviser to almost every top surfer
to have come in contact with him. As a Hawaiian Holy Man, he has given the blessing
on most every major surfing event in the world, including the U.S. Open of Surfing
and the O.P. Pro. He has also given blessing to many surf and Hawaiian related
establishments including Duke's in Hawaii and in Huntington Beach, California.
And, he has provided security at many of the worlds most important professional
surfing events.
As a spiritual teacher, Uncle David has guided many a surfer in the right direction.
As a friend he has advised just as many. As a healer he has taken care of many
surfing injuries right on the beach. This includes resetting a dislocated ankle
for me during a surfing event at Trestles. I later went to a doctor who told
me that if he had not have been there I would have been in a cast for three to
six months. As it was, I surfed the next day. These kinds of stories go on and
on about the man.
On Friday, December 10, the morning of the ceremony, the sun shone brightly in
the middle of a cloudless blue sky and the surf grew to the biggest day of the
winter so far at the Huntington Beach Pier, right across the street. Everyone
was saying that it was the surf Gods showing their respect for a human being
that has been loved and also respected by everyone that has ever come into contact
with him. It was truly an honor just to have been present at this event and something
that I will never forget. |
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