It has been some time since I last blogged about Duke, but that does not imply there has been a lack of activity related to him. The truth is that while events surrounding him continue, I have struggled to find the right flow of inspiration. Consequently, I decided to pause temporarily until today, when I regained my momentum.
Recently, I received a brochure from Mystic Stamps announcing the release of ten Limited Edition Beautiful Flowers First Day Covers. Their vibrant and appealing designs prompted me to place an order. In addition to those, I also ordered First Day stamps featuring Snoopy and a postcard commemorating Lou Gehrig. This led me to search for Duke’s stamps, which I had previously ordered. I was pleased to discover a First Day Issue envelope alongside his stamp and included it in my order.
I placed this order on December 6, 2025, and signed up for the “See What Happened Today in History” daily email from the company, which shares historical events through the lens of stamps. As a history enthusiast with numerous stories from my travels across the United States, I thought this would be a valuable way to deepen my knowledge. I prefer learning about history and the arts rather than spending time online browsing trivial content.
On December 7, 2025, I received my first email from the company, which resonated with me deeply, as it recalled the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor—December 7, 1941.
I have a personal connection to this day through the stories of Duke and his wife, Nadine, which I began to explore in my blogs earlier this year. I found resources detailing accounts from Duke’s brothers about his feature on “This Is Your Life: Duke Kahanamoku,” as well as Nadine’s reflections on their experiences that day.
According to Nadine, she and Duke were having breakfast at the Outrigger Club, where Duke served as sheriff. When the phone rang, a hush fell over the room. The call was for Duke, and after a brief conversation, he quietly informed Nadine that it was time to leave. The sounds they heard were not a drill but the onset of war.
As sheriff, Duke had the authority to navigate his town freely. He worked diligently to manage the evacuation and maintain order as the war began. Nadine volunteered her assistance, leveraging her intelligence and resourcefulness to contribute significantly beyond her initial expectations.
The woman who hired her advised Nadine to present herself as a secretary, thereby granting her some authority to delegate tasks to others. Nadine followed this guidance and even has a photograph of herself organizing responsibilities.
She recounted that, during darker times, they would crawl around their house to avoid detection by the Japanese, a precaution they grew accustomed to over time.
This Pearl Harbor attack prompted me to inquire with my mother about my grandmother’s experiences during that time. My mother confirmed that my grandmother and her family also had to remain quiet at night, hiding from the Japanese, who advanced to the Philippines after Pearl Harbor.
This blog entry connects to an earlier post I wrote a few months ago, which I can now expand upon. One evening, just as I was preparing to pick up my dog, Rebel, I suddenly heard a song I had previously associated with a blog about Barbie, depicting her watching a sunset in Hawaii while wearing a hula skirt. It felt as though I was communicating with Duke in my imagination, prompting me to ask for a sign of his presence.
As I left, I decided to listen to a podcast, during which the host mentioned Pearl Harbor. I was taken aback when, within five minutes, he also referenced Duke University. At that moment, I felt a surge of validation, affirming that Duke was indeed with me.
Since then, I have encountered numerous connections to Duke’s achievements and story. In my daily activities, I have met many individuals from Hawaii, often sparked by simple gestures that evolved into conversations about their backgrounds. Each encounter has underscored Duke Kahanamoku’s enduring legacy, as he is beloved by the Hawaiian community and remains a significant figure in their history.
As I write about Duke, excitement follows. As my friend noted, I possess a wealth of knowledge about Duke Kahanamoku—not just from my readings but from personal experiences. Additionally, I own Nadine Kahanamoku’s travel documents from her trip to Australia, where she witnessed the dedication of Duke’s statue at Freshwater Beach in Sydney.
Owning Nadine’s travel documents along with nine vintage press photos of Duke represents a rich historical narrative. I am convinced that these artifacts are meant for me, as my journey of writing about Duke connects me to his legacy, rooted not only in what I have learned but also in my personal experiences that have transformed into compelling stories.