Many of us tend to focus on the broader aspects of a subject, often overlooking the intricate details. I can honestly say that I am one of those individuals. However, when I invest more time in what I am observing, I enter my “Dora the Explorer” mode (humorously speaking), which is what inspired me to select this particular image of Duke for my blog today.
I have marked my calendar for Duke’s birthday, which falls on August 24th next month, as I prepare to write a more comprehensive account of the celebrations surrounding it.
For now, I would like to discuss this picture that I have seen numerous times, yet I only noticed the finer details earlier today.
As depicted in the image, this was one of Duke’s birthdays. The cake, adorned with a representation of him riding a wave, caught my attention. I must admit I was slightly disappointed that I could not find any articles detailing Duke’s age in this photograph; nevertheless, that did not deter me from sharing my thoughts.
What struck me about the image was the intentional angle or focus, showcasing Duke’s wide smile as he looked at the camera. My curiosity shifted next to the cake; knowing that Duke’s birthdays were typically grand celebrations, I wondered about its size.
Another focal point was Nadine, who remains a beautiful woman even as she ages. She embodies that vintage charm, reminiscent of fine wine that improves with time.
To my surprise, I did not recognize the woman beside Duke, but my eyes widened when I identified the man next to her. To confirm my suspicion, I revisited some images from previous blog posts, particularly those featuring the Kahanamoku brothers during their youth and later years.
I am confident that the individual in the image is Sargent Kahanamoku, who served as the model for Malvina Hoffman’s collection of full-body statues titled “Hall of the Races of Mankind.” For those interested, further details can be found on the main page of my blog.
Identifying Sargent allowed me to pinpoint the woman beside him and Duke as Anna Kuulei, Sargent’s wife and Duke’s sister-in-law. In my pursuit of knowledge about Anna, I conducted a brief search and discovered that she was a well-educated achiever. She was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives and later to the State Senate following Hawaii’s statehood. The couple reigned as King and Queen of Aloha Week in 1961. Anna passed away in 1969.
Images like this one are delightful to behold, as they celebrate Duke’s birthday rather than his well-known associations with surfing or swimming. In this photograph, he appears genuinely happy, his wide smile radiating charm even in his younger years.
Duke possessed many admirable traits that continue to resonate with people today. His legacy is cherished in Hawaii, where his story is taught in schools. I am aware of this firsthand, as I have relatives in Hawaii whose children are familiar with his history.
I am grateful for the time spent examining this image, as it provided me with the opportunity to appreciate one of his brothers. Given the scarcity of available narratives about them, it was truly a pleasure. Who knows, I may encounter further stories about his brothers in the future, which I would be delighted to share as well.
For the time being, I must conclude our discussion here; however, I look forward to continuing this conversation at a later time.