Hawaiian Roots

Then and now: Santa Cruz, California, where, in 1885, three Hawaiian princes “rode the waves at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River on redwood planks,” over 100 pounds in weight and 15 feet in length.

The princes and brothers, HRH Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole (sitting), HRH David Laʻamea Kahalepouli Kawānanakoa (left) and HRH Edward Abnel Keliʻiahonui (right), were attending a school in San Mateo and vacationing in Santa Cruz at the time.

This was the first recorded account of surfing on the continent, as it was reported in a Santa Cruz newspaper.

A plaque with the three princes was added at Santa Cruz Surfing Museum at Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. Present-day photo and video by

The inscription says cowboy, but no date, name or other context is given. Photo courtesy Hawaii State Archives, filed under Hawaiian men.

Portrait, pre-1900. No details. Photo: Hawaii State Archives