I have been somewhat remiss in my blogging about Duke, yet I have not forgotten to do so, as it has become a habit cultivated over more than a year. Although I often encounter reminders related to Duke, writing a blog post every day feels increasingly challenging as life unfolds and my responsibilities take precedence.
The topic I am about to address has been on my mind since May 21, 2026, and despite its lingering presence, I have postponed writing about it. This morning, however, it has compelled me to take a break from revising a decade’s worth of spreadsheets to focus on my blog.
For those of you who share a hobby of collecting, you understand that it often requires a financial commitment to expand your collection. As a fan of Duke, I recognize that anything related to him commands a price, making budgeting essential to acquire the next piece of memorabilia that piques your interest.
Recently, I stumbled upon an item on eBay that took me by surprise. While browsing through available ephemera, I noticed that 95% of the listings were replicas, which do not interest me. I then switched my focus to handwritten items related to all of Duke’s films. Despite the rarity of his images on promotional materials—often overshadowed by the film’s leading stars—I found it disheartening, given Duke’s significant status and the crowds he attracted during his career because he was a star himself.
I meticulously compiled a list of the films he appeared in, one by one, but found little of value. Starting with vintage press releases, postcards, and articles yielded no results. However, my patience drove me to continue browsing until I encountered the term “lobby card.”
I was astonished to find a card featuring Duke in his later years. How did I recognize him? I had previously discovered a photocopy of him sitting, with John Wayne standing behind him.
Indeed,
And yes, Duke Kahanamoku donned a traditional sarong-style wrap while portraying the Polynesian chief Ua Nuke in the 1948 John Wayne film Wake of the Red Witch. He is notably featured in the film’s luau scene, where he appears alongside John Wayne, showcasing this authentic island attire.
For those unfamiliar, John Wayne and Duke (often referred to as “Duke and Duke”) were close friends. John Wayne’s brother even starred in one of Duke’s films during a visit to Hawaii.
The lobby card was listed for $50 and advertised as featuring John Wayne and Gail Russell in “Wake of the Red Witch.” However, I was certain that the individual in the middle was indeed Duke Kahanamoku. My year-long dedication to blogging about him had given me a wealth of images showcasing him at various stages of his life.
I decided to sleep on the decision to purchase the card, as $50 was a considerable price. Upon waking the next day and turning on my computer, the first image I saw was that lobby card. With the allure proving too strong, I reached out to the seller.
Rather than mentioning Duke, I expressed that I felt a strong connection to the item and inquired if she would consider accepting $25 while reducing the shipping cost from $15. To my delight, she responded promptly, agreeing to sell it to me for $20 and refunding the excess shipping cost. It was a wonderful experience.
When the card arrived, I was thrilled; it was a genuine vintage print, complete with signs of wear and some discoloration on the back.
I take pride in my resourcefulness when pursuing something I want, as I believe many people lack that drive. Additionally, my passion for research, which began in high school as part of my curriculum, has served me well.
As I prepare to attend to other responsibilities, the song I dedicated to Duke on the first day I began this blog started playing. To me, this is a sign that this blog post needs to be published. So here it is.
For my upcoming blog, I have already identified a topic inspired by a conversation with my neighbor who recently traveled to Hawaii and expressed knowledge about Duke. However, I must conclude this discussion for now.