Gourmet Gossip | The Aloha Spirit Will Arrive In La Jolla Soon | Duke Kahanamoku History

La Jolla's Iconic Top of The Cove restaurant is being replaced by a true legend.  The Top of the Cove first opened in 1955, well known as the crown jewel of Prospect for decades and the place to celebrate in style. They closed the doors in 2006 and it has been vacant since. We are excited for what is to come and the anticipation is killing us!! Duke's restaurant will be opening in La Jolla village within the next few months, more than just a restaurant its a way of remembering this surfing hero and legacy. 

In honor of Duke Kahanamoku's Birthday Week (Aug 24th) we share a little history behind the impact he has had on the surfing and hospitality industry. 

Growing up around the ocean in Waikiki, Duke felt most at home in the water. He lived and breathed anything that had to do with water. He was a fisherman, swimmer, surfer, sailor, canoe paddler and steersman. If it involved being in the water or around the ocean Duke was a part of it. He won a total of six medals in four Olympics in two different sports—swimming and water polo. He set Olympic records and World records. Kahanamoku was the first person to be inducted into both the Swimming Hall of Fame and the Surfing Hall of Fame. 

Kahanamoku is credited with reviving the sport of surfing while being the first ever in surfing hall of fame after riding a 35 foot wave in Waikiki for one-and-a-quarter mile. He also traveled internationally giving swimming exhibitions, where he also incorporated surfing exhibitions. This is when surfing started to become world wide and the first spot he implemented surfing was in Australia. 

Duke was known for being an all around great guy, being recognized for his humility, honesty, grace, generosity and aloha, he was the ambassador of Aloha. Dukes motto, “In Hawaii we greet friends, loved ones or strangers with "Aloha," which means with love. Aloha is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality."

In addition to his athleticism he used his entrepreneurial spirit to give back to the community. He served as a sheriff in Honolulu for 13 years and was a life guard in Los Angeles while he was competing on the swim and water polo team as well as doing some acting. 

As a lifeguard he rescued 8 men from a fishing vessel that was attempting to get into the harbor during heavy surf. Using his surfboard he was able to make quick trips to increase the amount of men he was able to rescue. Newport's police chief at the time called Duke's efforts "the most superhuman surfboard rescue act the world has ever seen." It also caused U.S. lifeguards to begin using surfboards in their water rescues.

Surfer magazine sums it up perfectly:

“No matter where in the world you live, if you’re a surfer today, tip your cap to Duke, for he has touched your life in the profoundest way. Nobody did more to rekindle the Hawaiian love affair with surfing than Duke. Nobody did more to spread the gospel of surfing worldwide than Duke. And nobody did either with anything approaching Duke’s grace and class.”

In loving memory of Duke Kahanamoku:

“Try meeting or leaving people with Aloha. You'll be surprised by their reaction. I believe it, and it is my creed. Aloha to you.” -Duke Paoa Kahanamoku

So show your #LaJollaSpirit and give Duke's La Jolla some love on Facebook: (HERE)

Check out our Property Pick that compliments this story perfectly, located a block away from Duke's:

Sources:

Wikipedia: Duke Kahanamoku 
Encylopedia: Duke
Surfer Magazine
About Duke