"Duke Kahanamoku" - (Sol K. Bright) Pictured is the original songsheet owned Harry B. Soria, Sr. at KGU Radio in Honolulu during the late 1930s. (see stamped call letters). Sol K Bright later autographed it to Harry B. Soria, Jr. when appearing on his radio show in the early 1980s. Click to hear the original recording by Sol K. Bright when he was part of Sol Ho'opi'i's Novelty Quartette in the 1930s. * * * * *
DUKE KAHANAMOKU
Words and Music by Sol K. Bright
Dedicated as a deserving tribute
Grand old father Neptune
Awards a golden medal
Duke Kahanamoku
The crown he’ll always wear
King of swimmers famous of the sea
Mermaid beauties keep him company.
Chorus
Duke Kahanamoku
The Pride of all Hawaii
Surfing on a nalu
Appearing like a manu
You would think a moment
He wore a feather garment
Oi’a no’e ka’oi.
Duke Kahanamoku
The idol of Hawaii
Swimming in the ocean
Without the slightest notion
That he’d become kaulana
Throughout the good honua.
Oi’a no’e ka’oi.
King Kamehameha
Conquered the island group
Duke Kahanamoku
He simply conquered all the waters
Then became the king of swimmers
Oh, Duke Kahanamoku
The pride of all Hawaii
Surfing on a nalu
Appearing like a manu
You would think a moment
He wore a feather garment
Oi’a no’e ka’oi.
Oi’a no’e ka’oi.
Nalu = ocean wave
Manu = bird
Oia no e ka ‘oi = great in prestige
Kaulana = famous
Honua = earth
Sol K. Bright, 1935, San Francisco, California
Length:2:53 Released on: 01-01-1935 Artist/Compiled by: Sol Ho'opi'i w/ Sol K Bright