Waterman

The story of Hawaii’s surf sovereign is full of the aloha spirit.

The way of watermen: Traditional board building with Tom ‘Pohaku’ Stone

Often referred to as the ‘father of modern surfing’, Duke Kahanamoku is credited with popularising the ancient wave sliding tradition as sport. Born in 1890, Duke smashed world records in swimming and claimed Olympic gold at 21. He went on to make waves throughout the world, introducing the art of surfing to both the Aussies and the Kiwis. When surf culture surged in the 60s, he became Hawaii’s official ‘Ambassador of Aloha’. Ostensibly liked by all who knew him, the Duke left a longboard legacy that feels remarkably resonant today. Based on the biography Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku by David Davis, director Isaac Halasima tells the tale with narration from another Hawaiian aqua man, the gruff-voiced Jason Momoa.

Built primarily around a 1959 episode of the once-popular television show This is Your Life, Waterman traces the Duke’s origins as an original Waikiki beach boy. When the Amateur Athletic Union held its first race in Hawaii in 1911, Duke’s innate talent broke the world record — and the mainland called his bluff. The people of Hawaii helped raise the funds to send the Duke on a cross-country trek through a segregated nation in order to prove his worth. Before long it was “local boy makes good” as the Duke went on to become an Olympic swimmer and five-time medalist. Duke eventually set his sights on Hollywood and though he never achieved leading man status, he was directed by the likes of Victor Fleming, Tod Browning and John Ford. His white Olympic teammate had a much easier time making the transition to motion pictures: Johnny Weissmuller of Tarzan fame. Yet, Duke was known and respected the world over. When Hawaii reopened after the War, he became the official greeter to presidents and queens. The ‘King of Hollywood’ Clark Gable made a trip to the island state, as did Charlie Chaplin, and that other Duke, John Wayne.

In 2020, surfing finally made its long-awaited debut at the Tokyo Olympic games — one hundred years after Duke advocated for the inclusion of surfing in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. Waterwoman Carissa Moore brought the gold home to Hawaii that year. She’s featured among the contemporary voices of praise for the many trails blazed and barriers broken by the Duke, along with surfers Laird Hamilton, Kelly Slater, and Jack Johnson. Beloved in his time and still remembered today, Duke’s story deserves a big screen retelling, with a native Hawaiian surfer in the lead. Due to a lack of original footage, there is an attempt at that here, but re-enactments of this sort are rarely successful. Though they fill the frame and provide some general context, they tend to detract more than they add. (Who knew Field Notes were around in the early 1900s?) Yet there’s a lot to praise, including the animated opening credits, which recount Hawaiian history. Then there’s Duke himself, a charming, honest-to-goodness hero and leading man for the ages. Once when asked how the Queen Mother did in her hula lesson, Duke replied with a smile, “She was Akumai, we call it.” The meaning? Skillful.        

CHAD KENNERK

Featuring  Duane DeSoto, Laird Hamilton, Fred Hemmings, Jack Johnson, Ha'a Keaulana, Kathy Kohner, Kai Lenny, Carissa Moore, Kelly Slater, Malaya Valenzuela, Chad Wright, and narrated by Jason Momoa. 

Dir Isaac Halasima, Pro Chet Thomas, David Ulich and Steven Ungerleider, Screenplay Scott Elder and Josh Harmon, Ph Carter Fawcett, Music Timothy Stuart Jones, Costumes Cathie Valdovino, Sound Christopher Battaglia. 

Miscellaneous Entertainment/Sidewinder Films-HBO/PBS.
88 mins. USA. 2021. US Rel: 1 April 2022. No Cert.