It’s a funeral. That’s obvious.

Beyond that, I don’t know anything about this occasion. The photos were among my dad’s pictures and papers from the period around 1948.

The top photo shows a group gathered around what appears to be a funeral wreath, all wearing Waikiki Surf Club and swim trunks.

The middle photo is a gem. In the lead, a group of legends in surfing, paddling, and ocean sports. Second from the left looks like it could be “Toots” Minvielle, founder of the Molokai-Oahu canoe race in 1952, or perhaps Hui Nalu’s John D. Kaupiko. I’m just comparing to available old photos and trying to make a “match”.

Then there’s an unidentified man carrying a folded American flag. In the background, 4th from left, legendary swimming and canoe coach George “Dad” Center. Then, of course, there’s Duke Kahanamoku. All barefooted, bare chested, and ready to go into the water, followed by women in long dresses and several other men, at least on in a suit and tie.

The bottom photo shows canoes lined up on the beach in front of the old Outrigger Canoe Club, a scene played out again on a grander scale for Kahanamoku’s 1968 funeral procession.

Hopefully someone may be able to identify some of the other people and add some background to these photos.

Click any photo to view a larger image.

[Update (December 8, 2010): Well, sometimes I’m just plain wrong. Today I found two columns by Honolulu Advertiser Sports Editor Red McQueen that provide the real story behind these photos. Turns out that the photos are actually from May 1959 and were not from the 1953 body surfing event as I originally believed. I made the mistake when trying to make sense of these unidentified photos. I’ll add a link to the correct story as soon as it’s finished.]

–> See today’s full photo gallery.

On Sunday, August 16, 1953, the Waikiki Surf Club sponsored the first body surfing championships held in Hawaii since the beginning of World War II.

In addition to the body surfing competition, the day included a demonstration by the Hawaii Surf Life Saving Association “featuring the surf-life saving reel that was introduced to Hawaii recently by the visiting Australian Team,” according to newspaper stories at the time.

Honolulu newspapers reported that 4,000 spectators crowded Makapuu for the event, although photos taken that day don’t appear to confirm the high attendance.

Police ticketed cars illegally parked along the highway, with one officer reporting 50 tickets given out within an hour.

Nine bodysurfers were chosen as “champions”: Mango Kalahiki, Louis Zarko, Charles Todd, Kennis Rowe, Rabbit Kekai, Renny Kruger, Noah Kalama Sr., George Downing, and Buster Kine.

I found several small envelopes containing 120 format negatives that turned out to be from this daynat Makapuu.. Most were in bad shape, virtually melted together. I tried soaking one set in water for several hours, but the emulsion didn’t soften enough to separate the sheets of negatives.

But I was able to salvage a few in relatively good condition, and was surprised to find several photographs of my dad, John Lind, with Duke Kahanamoku and George “Dad” Center. They were at what appears to be a reception for several unidentified visitors.

The photos also show Duke escorting several guests at Makapuu, the life saving demonstration and body surfing contest. The reception appears to have been associated with this event.

I don’t know who the visitors were. I was sure my dad would recall this blond, who certainly looks like a model or a movie star, but no lights went on when I showed him the photo.

A reader identified one of the people at the reception as Sam Harris, manager at the Outrigger Canoe Club, so it’s possible that’s the location. Other guesses are the old Waikiki Tavern, where the Waikiki Surf Club had its office, or Don the Beachcomber’s restaurant in Waikiki.

And who is that blond? And don’t you love that surfer hood ornament? Several online references indicate it was on Duke Kahanamoku’s car.

If you recognize any other people, please email me or leave a comment below.