1981 Duke Kahanamoku Surfing Classic

Winner(s):

Michael Ho

Governing Body:

Unknown

Results

“A Duke with Hazards—Ho Wins Kahanamoku Event,” by Bobby Owens, Surfing, April 1981

Opening ceremonies for the Duke Kahanamoku meet this year were held at the Kuilima Resort Hotel with aloha cocktails, pupus, music, and Hawaii’s premiere entertainer, Andy Bumatai, handling the microphone. The Pipeline Masters prelims had already been held, and the 12 semifinalists were unsure of which contest would start first.

As in the past, the great Duke’s widow, Nadine Kahanamoku, drew the heats from a...