David Nuuhiwa Sr., 82; Infused Surfing With Hawaiian Ritual
LA Times
David Nuuhiwa Sr., a Hawaiian whose expertise on his native culture won him celebrity in California surfing circles, has died after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 82.
Nuuhiwa, also an expert in martial arts, died Friday in Hawaii of stomach cancer, said his widow, Lily Nuuhiwa.
Nuuhiwa was a familiar figure for more than two decades in California surf contests, conducting opening-day blessings and providing security.
In December, Nuuhiwa was inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach.
Ian Cairns, who directed professional surf events, first hired Nuuhiwa for security in 1982 at the Op Pro in Huntington Beach.
