Group of surfers with their surfboards on a beach, with a building and palm trees in the background.
Beachboys and Surfboards, Waikiki, 1946

Beachboys and Surfboards, Waikiki, 1946

Vendor
Matson Navigation Company Archives
Regular price
$48.00
Sale price
$48.00
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With their unmatched ocean athleticism and effortless charm, the Waikiki Beach Boys transformed surfing from an ancient Hawaiian tradition into a global phenomenon, leaving an indelible mark on mid-century coastal culture that continues to inspire surf aesthetics today.

In the early to mid-20th century, the Waikiki Beach Boys became the living heartbeat of Hawaii's burgeoning surf and tourism culture. Operating directly on the white sands outside iconic landmarks like the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, these charismatic, water-wise local men served as swimming instructors, canoe captains, and surf guides for visitors from around the world. They didn’t just teach tourists how to catch their very first waves on massive, heavy redwood and balsa surfboards; they introduced them to a welcoming, authentic lifestyle rooted deeply in the spirit of aloha.

Pictured from left to right: Charles Soupy Coelho, Unidentified, Turkey Love, David Kahanamoku, Ox, Harry "Curley" Cornwall, Louis Kahanamoku. 

Print Types

 

Enhanced Matte


Artwork prints onto a premium, bright white matte paper that yields vibrant images with excellent highlight and shadow detail. Print includes a 1" white border on all sides of the image.


Canvas Wrap White Sides


Artwork prints onto museum-grade canvas, then stretched on a wooden frame of 1.5" depth stretcher bars. Canvas is delivered to you with wire hardware, so it is ready to hang.

 

Rolled Canvas

Artwork prints onto museum-grade canvas with 2-inch white borders on all sides for stretching or framing at your convenience.

 

All prints require 10 - 21 business days to print, assemble, and package your order prior to shipping. Everything is printed and manufactured "on demand".