I appreciate your patience as I embark on the storytelling journey of Duke and Nadine’s boat, aptly named “Nadu,” derived from the first two letters of their names.
My research has uncovered limited information available online, necessitating that I draw upon my imagination to craft this narrative.
My initial inquiry about Nadu was whether the boat still exists as of June 2025. The findings indicate that Duke Kahanamoku owned a sailboat named Nadu, which was moored in the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor during the 1960s. Records suggest that it was docked alongside another vessel that had recently completed a circumnavigation. A photo archive also references “Duke Kahanamoku’s boat, the Nadu, anchored at the Ala Wai.”
It is crucial to distinguish this from the Thelma boat, which tragically capsized off the coast of California in 1925. Duke heroically rescued eight individuals from the Thelma using his surfboard. There are also accounts suggesting that Nadu may have been dismantled, as noted in surfing history.
As I delved deeper into Duke’s story, I felt compelled to shift the focus from the boat itself to Duke’s profound love for being on the water.
In his later years, he transitioned from surfboards to boats, owning a variety of vessels over the last two decades of his life, including sleek yachts and catamarans. Notably, one catamaran was gifted to him by Ralph Edwards during a segment of the show “This Is Your Life: Duke Kahanamoku.” Two cruisers he owned were named NADU K, which is the centerpiece of my narrative today.
Duke’s friend Arthur Godfrey remarked that Duke was particularly skilled at sailing the catamaran, as it was reminiscent of the Hawaiian double-hulled canoes of his youth. Duke once enthusiastically described the thrill of sailing his catamaran, stating, “You have not experienced anything more exhilarating. Just imagine sailing along on a 20-foot boat at over 20 knots, powered solely by the wind. It is akin to ice sailing on the ocean.” He expressed hopes of shipping his catamaran to San Pedro for the start of the Trans-Pacific Yacht Race on July 4, 1955.
This mention of the Trans-Pacific Yacht Race piqued my curiosity, prompting further investigation that may yield content for a future blog post. Interestingly, I discovered an article indicating that Duke’s catamaran, Nadu, was sighted in San Pedro, as reported in an old newspaper.
According to the article, Duke Kahanamoku shipped his catamaran to San Pedro, where he would participate as a visitor and spectator at the race’s start. It’s noteworthy that Duke had sailed in several Trans-Pacific races and was well-regarded as a sailor along the Pacific Coast. He planned to take his catamaran to Puget Sound on a special trailer for later sailing.
The mention of Puget Sound has ignited my curiosity, and I look forward to exploring this topic further to continue chronicling Duke’s journey in the Trans-Pacific races.
I have a poignant image of the Nadu boat from a book, depicting it docked at Ala Wai Bay—an image that evokes a sense of solitude, likely taken after Duke’s passing.
However, I recently discovered a vivid photograph of Duke proudly cleaning the boat named “Nadu,” with its name prominently displayed in bold letters. This image reinforces my belief in the significance of this vessel.
In conclusion, my reflections on Nadu underscore its historical importance, primarily due to its owner and the remarkable experiences Duke had while sailing. His passion for the water and everything associated with it remains evident.
I initially believed that I would solely depend on my imagination to complete this story, which was a remarkable experience. I am truly grateful to have discovered various bits of information that have added depth and intrigue to my writing.
I have thoroughly exhausted my thoughts regarding potential additions to this story. Therefore, I will temporary sail away and return with my next blog post.
