General Manager’s Corner
ALOHA OCC ‘OHANA! In August, I celebrated my five-year anniversary at OCC. Time flies when you love what you do!
In 2015, the Navy presented the Club with an iron beam from the deckhouse superstructure of the USS Arizona to be used as a trophy for the Fourth of July military race winner. The trophy was built by long-time employee Domie Gose who incorporated a rare and beautiful piece of koa wood, donated by Karl Herver, into the base. The powerful inscription on the base reads:
It’s truly been a privilege. Each day that I walk through this world-class Club, I’m constantly reminded of its incredible athletic legacy. From the Front Desk, to the Lobby display case to the Boathouse and places in between, nearly every inch of the Club is covered in its rich history of ath- letic accolades. Even the restrooms are a testament to past achievements, featuring photos of the Club’s
I have felt the pounding sea… The deadly blows of infamy. I am ARIZONA. Do not forget me.
The two newest perpetual trophies are the Diane Stowell Most Inspirational Trophy for the OCC Invitational Swim and the koa Hawaiian fishhook trophy for the Fishing Committee’s biggest fish winner in the annual tournament. In addition to the historic trophies, the Historical Committee is also responsible for most of the bronze plaques that feature our athletes around the Club. Be on the lookout for new plaques at the volleyball courts that celebrate our national championship volleyball teams. Many of our trophies have fascinating stories behind them—just reading the winners’ names gives us insight into our Club’s illustrious past. If you would like to learn more about our legendary trophy collection, visit our outriggercanoeclubsports.com and search for the Waiwai Collection (Trophies and Na Mea). Thank you for the last five years! They have been very special to me. I look forward to having many, many more.
swimmers, football team, soccer team, track stars and more from the 1920s. And don’t forget the Duke Room tribute to our first Olympian. The biggest tribute to our accomplished athletes can be found in the brimming trophy cases in the Lobby, Boathouse and Board Room. The Historical Committee maintains the historic trophies, while the athletic committees are responsible for the perpetual trophies awarded at annual events. A trophy presented to Josephine Pratt in 1910 for the best girl surfer at the Outrigger Canoe Club is believed to be the oldest trophy at OCC, the first surfing trophy ever made, the first won by a woman and the first awarded by the Club. Recently, the Historical Committee acquired a trophy won by a team of American swimmers Dad Center took to Japan in 1926, which included OCC members Buster and Buddy Crabbe, Sam Kahanamoku and Johnny Woodd. The trophy was donated to the Club and will be displayed in the Lobby soon. Another unique trophy is the OCC 6-Man Open Perpetual Volleyball Trophy which was found at an estate sale. It was awarded to the Club’s beach volleyball tournament winners from 1943 to 1947. Among the winners’ names are Duke Kahanamoku, Dad Center and William Cook.
My very best,
Tyler Roukema, General Manager
6 AMA | SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023
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