Willie Hona

The Hawaiian Surfing Legend You've Never Heard Of

In the world of surfing, Duke Kahanamoku is a household name. But there's another Hawaiian surfer who deserves just as much recognition: Willie Hona.

Hona was born in 1897 in the small town of Kahana, on the island of Maui. He began surfing at a young age, and quickly developed a reputation as one of the best surfers on the island. In 1917, he won the first Hawaiian Surfing Championship, and went on to win the title four more times.

Hona was also a pioneer in the sport of surfing. He was one of the first surfers to use a surfboard with a fin, which gave him more control and speed on the waves. He was also one of the first surfers to surf big waves, and he is credited with inventing the "Hona wave," a particularly difficult wave to ride.

Despite his accomplishments, Hona never became as well-known as some of his contemporaries. This may have been due in part to the fact that he was a Native Hawaiian, and at the time surfing was seen as a sport for white people. But it's also possible that Hona was simply content to live a quiet life in his home town.

Willie Hona died in 1971, but his legacy lives on. He is remembered as one of the greatest surfers of all time, and his innovations helped to shape the sport of surfing as we know it today.

Here are a few things you may not know about Willie Hona:

He was a skilled canoeist and fisherman.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War I.
He was a close friend of Duke Kahanamoku.
He was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame in 1994.

Willie Hona was a true Hawaiian legend. He was a great surfer, a pioneer in the sport, and a humble and kind-hearted man. He is an inspiration to all who love surfing, and his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.

"I don't surf to win. I surf to feel alive."

- Willie Hona