Rabbit Kekai
Encyclopedia
Rabbit Kekai is a professional surfer and innovator of surfing. He was the master of surfing in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s and also winner of the Peruvian and Makaha International titles.
in 1920, he lived with his five siblings and parents near the shores of Waikiki
. Kekai got his first taste of surfing at the age of three when his lifeguard uncle taught him how to surf. By the age of five, Kekai was surfing on his own. With surfing becoming a part of his life, Kekai looked to his role models of surfing. At the age of ten, Duke Kahanamoku
taught Kekai to become a better at surfing and outrigger canoeing.
, but Kekai didn't continue his education after high school. Instead, Kekai went into the workforce earning a living on and off the beach through numerous odd jobs.
By the mid-30s, Kekai rose in the ranks of surfing and innovated hotdogging on the shortboard, drop-knee turns on short, and surfed on finless boards. Kekai also began to surf on the North Shore
which has become a popular surfing ground to this day.
. In the part of the war, Kekai was stationed in Haleiwa. Kekai wouldn't lay waste to years of surfing, after his duties for the day was done, Kekai would be seen surfing. Kekai would be involved in the Pacific Theatre
helping deploy underwater charges for UDT
to destroy Japanese ships allowing a pathway for American troops to capture Federated States of Micronesia
from Japan
. After three years of service, Kekai discharged from the Navy.
.
The Rabbit Kekai keiki surf contest is held every year at Waikiki Beach
to promote surfing for Hawaii's children. Rabbit Kekai attends the contest each year and presents the prizes to the winners.
Learning to surf
Albert "Rabbit" Kekai was born in Honolulu, HawaiiHonolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
in 1920, he lived with his five siblings and parents near the shores of Waikiki
Waikiki
Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City and County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, in Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikīkī....
. Kekai got his first taste of surfing at the age of three when his lifeguard uncle taught him how to surf. By the age of five, Kekai was surfing on his own. With surfing becoming a part of his life, Kekai looked to his role models of surfing. At the age of ten, Duke Kahanamoku
Duke Kahanamoku
Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was a Hawaiian swimmer, actor, lawman, early beach volleyball player and businessman credited with spreading the sport of surfing. He was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming.-Early years:The name "Duke" is not a title, but a given name...
taught Kekai to become a better at surfing and outrigger canoeing.
Teenager years
Although surfing was becoming a part of Kekai's life, Kekai also concentrated on school work. He excelled in academics and was offered athletic scholarships for collegeCollege
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
, but Kekai didn't continue his education after high school. Instead, Kekai went into the workforce earning a living on and off the beach through numerous odd jobs.
By the mid-30s, Kekai rose in the ranks of surfing and innovated hotdogging on the shortboard, drop-knee turns on short, and surfed on finless boards. Kekai also began to surf on the North Shore
North Shore (Oahu)
The North Shore, in the context of geography of the Island of Oahu, refers to the north-facing coastal area of Oahu between Kaena Point and Kahuku Point...
which has become a popular surfing ground to this day.
Duty in World War II
Like many people, Kekai was involved in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In the part of the war, Kekai was stationed in Haleiwa. Kekai wouldn't lay waste to years of surfing, after his duties for the day was done, Kekai would be seen surfing. Kekai would be involved in the Pacific Theatre
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
helping deploy underwater charges for UDT
Underwater Demolition Team
The Underwater Demolition Teams were an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II. They also served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War...
to destroy Japanese ships allowing a pathway for American troops to capture Federated States of Micronesia
Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia or FSM is an independent, sovereign island nation, made up of four states from west to east: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. It comprises approximately 607 islands with c...
from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. After three years of service, Kekai discharged from the Navy.
Return to surfing
Rabbit Kekai would become one of the founding members of the Waikiki Surf Club and helped the club win numerous surfing championships and canoe races. Kekai would also win numerous international surfing titles independently. However by the 50s, Kekai began to pass down the surf techniques to a younger generation. Joey Cabell, Donald Takayama, Harold Iggy, and countless others has taught by Kekai. He also catered to famous people too teaching them basics while vacationing in HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
Present day
Today, Rabbit Kekai is married and is a great-grandfather. Kekai is still an avid surfer and looks quite young for his age.The Rabbit Kekai keiki surf contest is held every year at Waikiki Beach
Waikiki
Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City and County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, in Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikīkī....
to promote surfing for Hawaii's children. Rabbit Kekai attends the contest each year and presents the prizes to the winners.
External links
- Biography on Rabbit Kekai, By Malcolm Gault-Williams
- Biography of Rabbit Kekai, Jason Borte, November 2001
- Forever stoked: Beachboy Rabbit Kekai, Honolulu Advertiser, January 7, 2001, Retrieved February 17, 2007
- Interview with Rabbit Kekai on Liquid Salt Magazine
- Kekai lights up beach for 90th birthday party, Star Advertiser',' November 12, 2010, Retrieved November 12, 2010