Whether you’re old enough to remember the old Queen’s Surf, or too young but curious about the former landmark, here’s a bit of history.
I posted some of this earlier, but this week I found the missing first page of a 1947 letter from my father to the president of the International Geneva Association in praise of the newly renovated Queen’s Surf. The letter was accompanied by a set of excellent photographs.
Click on this photo, and you’ll first get to read the letter, and then view the series of photos.
According to my dad’s account:
Queen’s Surf was built during the years 1914 and 1915, by Mr. & Mrs. W.K. Seering of the International Harvester Co., Illinois. In the year 1936 it was purchased from Mr. & Mrs. Seering by Mr. C.R. Holmes for his Honolulu residence. Mr. Holmes also owned the beautiful Coconut Island, which is located in the Kaneohe are on the windward side of the island of Oahu, in the Hawaiian Island Group. In 1945 the residence was purchased by a group known as the Capitol Properties, Limited. It was remodeled and made into an outstanding commercial location as pictured in the attached photographs. It is regarded as the most luxuriest commercial location in the islands. During the war period the residence was used as a rest home for young flyers. C.R. Holmes donated the premises for this use during the war period. Many of the flyers enjoyed the luxuries that were extended there. In the year 1944, during the war conference held in Hawaii by Admiral Nimitz, General Douglas McArthur and staffs; all of their time was spent in the residence now known as the Queen’s Surf.
I remember one or two long nights at the Queen’s Surf in late 1969 or early 1970 with Meda and my late uncle, Jimmy Yonge. At that time, he was chief purser on one of Matson’s white liners that cruised through Honolulu to the South Pacific. When stopping through Honolulu, we would get together for a few drinks. Well, perhaps more than a few, but this was, after all, before MADD. Suffice it to say that Queen’s Surf was one of the centers of night life in Waikiki during the period.
But it came to a sad end when it was condemned and torn down by the city in about 1971 to open up that part of the beach to the public, or so they said.
I ran across this comment left on Yelp with another version of its demise. I can’t vouch for the accuracy, but it sure sounds like the way business was done.
The long and the short of it…
One of the most prominent and successful restaurateurs here was Spence Weaver. With his brother Cliff, they created 50 plus restaurants and bars thru Hawaii and Tahiti.
Among all the rest, they owned Queen’s Surf, the Papeete lounge and the Barefoot bar. kama’aina remembers it as the showroom in which the irrepressible Sterling Mossman held court.One evening, Fasi met up with Spence at some restaurant and told him basically, ok, yer gonna donate to my campaign. Spence, being just as strong willed, and being his own person, never enjoying having someone else tell HIM what do do with HIS money, replied, uh… I don’t think so!
No, really. ya gotta!
No, Frank, I will not.
This began a personal mutual dislike, personal vendettas, etc…
Frank Fasi, much to the chagrin and general heartbreak and extreme disappointment of the general populace, (and regular visitors around the world) thru condemnation, and eminent domain, had the whole establishment there, torn down, (for the greater good; needed a beach park there. Regardless of the fact the surrounding areas were beach parks… made no difference.
Fasi attempted to make Spence an offer he couldn’t refuse. Spence did refuse. Result, a fabulous landmark status bar restaurant and showroom of the old Polynesian motif… is gone forever. Spanks alot, Frank.
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Who remembers Steve Logan at the queen surf in the 60’s
I spent many a night in the late 60’s with Steve and his band…you might say I was a groupie. His bass player Paul Morse and I became friends as well. I have often wondered what ever happened to the guys…I lost track after I married in 1973. Stopped hangng out in Waikiki. Please let me know if you have any news.
I was in the Navy…submarine service …and started going to the Queens Surf in 1967. Thought Steve Logan was great….Sumbish….I lived at the Balcony Apartments just off of Kuhio….Logan’s secretary lived in the apartments next door…Donna Donna…no idea what her last name was. She also worked for Al Lopaka….Al died in a polo accident but never knew what happened to Steve Logan. …….and Frank Fasi is or was a Sumbish…..jjflynn628@att.net
I was the keyboard player for Steve, after Warren Marley left…we played in Vegas-came back to QS- and then toured in Reno – Tahoe-Houston-LA and Vancouver. Steve stayed on the Mainland to try his luck in LA.-I came back with Paul & Joey and we worked in Waikiki for a while…Paul wanted to play Jazz only and did. I heard he moved to the Northwest somewhere. Joey still gigs occasionally and I’ve been gigging steady all these 50 years…..I still run into people from those days….I heard Steve ended up teaching school in Colorado, but not sure.
i got a one way ticket to waikiki with my buddy for my high school graduation in 1967. we used to go down to the beach in front of queen’s surf at nite and listen to steve logan from outside since we were too young to go in. tourists would sometimes pass us drinks just for fun. i remember he closed every show with a emotional rendition of “Impossible Dream”. he refered to his performing at the club as more or less “his impossible dream” as i remember……great memories of that wonderful area…….always wondered what happened to him……..
I remember Steve Logan. One of his favorite exclamations was “Sumbish”.
My wife & I had our exterior wedding photos taken on the grounds of the Queen Surf
In August 1967.
I see that John Flynn also commented on Steve Logan. John & I were shipmates on the same submarine. The submariners knew & patronized all of the best places!
I can fill in some of the blanks on how the Queen’s Surf got started. “Capitol Properties” was really “Capital Properties,” a subsidiary of Chinn Ho’s Capital Investment Co., and Bill Charlock was its first general manager. I must have been in 5th grade when it opened. Later, Dad sold it to Spence Weaver.
As a photographer at hundreds of Queen Surf Luaus in 1957 while in the USN and again in 1959 after returning I have great memories. Nona and Mahi Beemer led the best music in the islands along with other great performers that stopped by. Kent Ghirard and his Hulanani Dancers filled in the gaps. It was a great, and unnecessary loss when it was torn down.
Gary, I was with you during those years, from NavCommSta to bachelor days in Waikiki. Please contact me by email ….
I have many memories of Queen Surf….Swimming out in front of the bar…watching Steve Logan, Kui Lee , the Baby dolls ? Puka Puka Otea outside, Sterling Mossman @ Varoa Tiki in the Barefoot bar ( I later ended up dancing for Tiki,) Kimo Mossman and I were in high school together. Auntie Hilo Hattie at the Luau show, in 69 we did a Don Ho show together in Vegas along with Buddy Fo. Used to hang out as a kid where they took the pig out of the IMU. They used to give us the head from the pig which we’d give to my grandma to make soup or chook, not sure of the spelling…Later worked as a hula girl taking pictures with tourists…Toooooooo many memories and a lot of good times and happiness . I do miss Queen Surf ……
I spent 3 glorious years in Hawaii, sadly leaving in 1970. My fondest memories are of sitting on the lanai behind the bandstand and drinking my last Mai Tai while watching the moonset across the water. It was a great way to end and evening/date. Although I was gone when it happened I felt a void when I heard the QS had been leveled. I will never forget my time there.
Stationed at Camp Smith “66” “67”. Spent a lot of time at Queens Surf. Two great bands, The Surfettes and if I remember correctly Eddie Kapu Jr. One of the surfette band members was Marsha Kalima, daughter of the great Jesse Kalima. Nothing but great memories.
Puka Puka Otea…Produced by Don and Elaine(Frisbie) Over. Was part of the group from ’63-’64. The great Moe Ke’ale and his wife Patty were part of the group. The Ichner brothers, Eliane and Verna Acajou, Fi’a Moe, his sister in law , Mala, Kala, myself and Elaine.
So many fun memories and days spent perfecting our tans on the beach fronting QS. Drinks at the surf bar. Old timer bartenders and friends. Many of them worked at Jeff and Charlie’s Red Vest on Kuhio. Great times and lots of drinking and merry making! Music always in the air!
Hi Pua. You were one of our singers and I remember you and your fantastic voice. I was one of the musicians in the show and became the MC after Don and Elaine got divorced. You may have forgotten me, but I never forgot you. Call me at 808 561-1134 if you want to reminisce about the good times we had there. (remember the guys who lived on the premisis walking across our stage during the 3rd shows?)
Moke
I graduated UH in1960 and taught at McKinley ;a few of us got together and organized soccer starting a men’s league and a high school league; the men’s league was able to acquire Kapio9lani Park on Sundays for our games, and when the game finished, over to the Queen Surf we went ,took a dip and hit the bar for a beer and hamburger; QS was a major part of my life in the 60s ,dancing,New Years Eve, the Puka Puka Otea; lots of memories that bring tears to my 81 year old face; I’m on Oahu at least once a year and ALWAYS go sit on a bench and remember.
Picture a half dozen 18 year old college students, going to The UH, no money, Fri. night, Waikik. What to do? Walk to Queens Surf, sit on the wall, stage left, enjoying Kui Lee. (We did have a brown bag of Apple Boon’s Farm) Sand and surf on our right, it never got better then that! Security once came by to move us away but Kui Lee noticed and let us stay. He said we were “his people” and never bothered again.
Ps went to work for Spencecliff in 1969. Started at Kau Kau Kitchen as assist. manager. Claim to fame at KKK? Never had a fight on my shift.lol They transferred me to at least 5 places before I moved on to Sheraton Waikik when it opened.
Queen Surf, brings back such old lovely memories. After work at Jolly Rogers, Waikiki, 12:00pm., we would go down & hang out on the beach fronting QS, listening to the beautiful music. At that time we were under age so we couldn’t go in but because the QS was like an open patio, we saw & listened to the live entertainment for free. People respected one another & there was no problems hanging out. Later got to meet & became friends with Don Over & his lovely wife Josie. Those beautiful memories are pressed between the pages of my mind!
RE: your father’s letter:
I believe the property was first built in 1916 by Chicago architects Holabird & Roche for the C W Deering family of Chicago who owned International Harvester.
Mahalo nui for sharing lovely memories. My father is Emile itchener, he passed in 2014. He would always tell stories of this place, oh how I wish to have been there! Manuia e aloha ia outou
Maria. My name is Moke and I was part of the Puka Puka Otea at Queens Surf in the early/mid 60’s with your dad and uncle Jean who was my roommate at one time. I was just reading about Queens Surf and saw your post about you father Emile. It was a wonderful time. I’d love to reminisce with you if you wouldn’t mind calling me at 808 561-1134.
aloha – great place -especially the pig roast -ca. 1961=63 & a great beach, that was “quiet” & much less touristy
note – prevus responder WALTER BULLOCK – soccer?//
THE TUR MANN – WARD???
I remember Waikiki in the ancient old days
When Kalakaua could be driven two ways
And the Queen’s Surf was the hottest spot in town
Puka Puka Otea was the Polynesian rage
When Animal and Patty would take to the stage
In the main room, Steve Logan was makin’ his sounds
Well there were other bands that played there too
Like Buzzy and the Surfettes, and Sam Kapu
While you take this trip with me, I won’t forget the great Kui Lee
Sterling Mossman upstairs with the Barefoot Bar Gang
Everybody laughed when Ini Young sang
Coca cola was twenty five cents a pop
The Teddy Neeley Four at the Peppermint Lounge
Fabulous Fables appeared at the Clouds
Dick Jensen was knockin’ em dead at the Swamp
“Golden Days of Waikiki” 2003 Loren Ayresman (aka LA the dj) layresman@gmail.com
Buzzy here…..long time brother