✩ 100 years of the friendly rivalry with “cross-town rivals” Kaneohe Yacht Club! 

This #ThrowbackThursday, September 20, 2024 PHYC celebrates the beginning - 100 years ago this weekend! - of the friendly rivalry with “cross-town rivals” Kaneohe Yacht Club!  KYC also celebrates its Centennial this year – part of the rich history of yachting in Hawaiian waters.

Reporting a race at Kaneohe on Sunday, September 21, 1924, the Star-Advertiser said “Races will be held every two weeks and the new organization (Kaneohe Yacht Club) will offer friendly rivalry to the Pearl Harbor Yacht Club, adding to the already keen enthusiasm for “inside sailing” in Oahuan waters – a sport which has been revived during the past year.”

The two clubs worked closely together in the 1920s and 1930s, arranging hosts for TransPac yachts, holding combined luaus for the participants throughout the 1930s, and advocating for increased opportunities in local yachting.

Newspaper sports summaries often posted weekend race results from both clubs in adjacent columns, or sometimes even in the same article.

In 1928, PHYC’s first Commodore, Herb Dowsett (see March 8 #Throwback), with KYC crew, Bob Cowen, won the “Visitors Cup” Race at KYC, where PHYC skippered boats owned and crewed by KYC members.

In March 1931, the two clubs raced against each other, with KYC’s Spartan 15s sailing into Pearl Harbor to race against PHYC’s Mower 18s, winning the regatta by 0.23 percent!

Later that year, PHYC Past Commodore Buck Afong (see March 21 #Throwback) and KYC Commodore Bob Cowan won the Guest Day regatta at KYC aboard the club’s Spartan 15s.

The following year, in November 1932, the “Windward Clubmen” continued the tradition with their “Pearl Harborite” brethren.  Regrettably, weather forces a cancellation of PHYC returning the favor later two weeks later.

Records show that, in late-1937, the inter-club rivalry resumed.  PHYC expressed interest in buying Mid-Pacific (MP) boats (which KYC first purchased in 1934), looking towards a single class for intra-island yacht races, inviting KYC to bring their MPs and compete against Star boats.  The MPs were five feet longer than the Spartan 15s, and carried 125 sq ft of sail, compared to the Spartan’s 145 sq ft – perhaps an advantage in the Island’s persistent trades?  The Star-Advertiser reported the “M.P. is a speedster designed for Island waters and suitable for sailing in all sheltered waters, enabling the members of the various clubs to compete.”

The result was an epic Team Race, held at Pearl Harbor on November 14, 1937.  Navy Captains James Willson and Kenneth Whiting headed the Red and Blue teams, with Herreshoff S-boats, Kettenburg PCs, Star boats, and KYC’s MPs starting all at once – a fleet of 21 boats drifting across the line in light Kona winds.  Willson’s team prevailed, through frequent dog fights, with the S-boats proving fastest in the gentle breeze.

Two years later, in November 1939, PHYC was back at KYC as guests for an informal race, skippering the MPs.  A few weeks later, PHYC hosted KYC aboard their Star boats.  But, with rising tensions in the Far East, President Roosevelt restricted access to Pearl Harbor on May 31st, so future inter-club races were limited.

Though this signaled the end of the pre-war rivalry between the two clubs, the spirit of competition remained.  Following the war, inter-club regattas resumed in MPs, Stars, and Lightnings.

Congratulations to Kaneohe Yacht Club on their Centennial, and best wishes for many more years of racing with our fellow sailors!

SOURCES:

“Bigelow Yacht Wins Kaneohe Sailing Race” Star-Advertiser - Tue, Sep 23, 1924 - Pg 9

“Plans Made for Race from San Pedro to Honolulu” Star-Bulletin - Sat, Dec 05, 1925 - Pg 12

“Hilo-Honolulu Both Want Yacht Race Terminus: Honolulu Yachtsmen Get Busy” Star-Bulletin - Wed, Feb 24, 1926 - Pg 7

“Yachting Becoming Popular: Pearl Harbor and Kaneohe Yacht Club Officials Predict Banner Year” Star-Bulletin - Mon, May 09, 1927 - Pg 7

**“Dowsett Wins “Visitors Cup” at Kaneohe Bay Club” Star-Advertiser - Mon, Oct 08, 1928 - Pg 8

“Luau is Given to Yachtsmen by PHYC and KYC” Star-Bulletin - Wed, Jul 23, 1930 - Pg 6

“Kaneohe Yachtsmen, Peninsula Skippers Race Tomorrow” Star-Advertiser - Sat, Mar 21, 1931 - Pg 11

**“Kaneohe Club is Winner in Race” Star-Bulletin - Mon, Mar 23, 1931 - Page 26

“Spartan Skipper Win Team Race by Very Scant Margin” Star-Advertiser - Mon, Mar 23, 1931 – Pg 3

“Windward Clubmen Hosts Pearl Harborites” Star-Advertiser - Mon, Nov 7, 1932 - Page 8

“PHYC race postponed” Star-Bulletin - Sat, Nov 19, 1932 - Pg 1

“Hoomalimali - New Boats at Kaneohe” Star-Advertiser - Tue, May 08, 1934 - Pg 12

**“Streamline M-P Boats Race at Kaneohe” Star-Bulletin - Sat, May 2, 1936 - Pg 12

**“Kaneohe Yacht Club opens 1936 Season“ Star-Bulletin - Mon, May 4, 1936 - Pg 15

**“Kaneohe Yacht Club Racing Season Opens” Star-Bulletin - Sat, May 9, 1936 – Pg 8

“Expected Fleet of Ten (M.P boats) to be Ready for 1938 Races” Star-Bulletin - Fri, Sep 3, 1937 - Pg 14

“M-Ps Gain Favor” Star-Advertiser - Tue, Sep 7, 1937 - Pg 9

“Kaneohe Yacht Club Closing ‘37 Racing Tomorrow” Star-Bulletin - Sat, Oct 16, 1937 - Pg 15

**“Capt. Willson’s Red Team wins race at Pearl Harbor” Star-Bulletin - Mon, Nov 15, 1937 - Pg 12 

“Yachtsmen Meet on Wednesdays” Star-Advertiser - Sat, Mar 18, 1939 - Pg 10

“Pearl Harbor Yachtsmen Guests at Kaneohe Club” Star-Advertiser - Tue, Nov 7, 1939 - Pg 10

“Pearl Harbor Yacht Club Entertains Kaneohe Skippers” Star-Advertiser - Tue, Nov 28, 1939 - Pg 8

“Trans-Pacific Committees Selected” Star-Advertiser - Tue, Jul 01, 1941 - Pg 12

“Starting Time Changed for Star Boat Race” Star-Bulletin - Sat, Oct 27, 1945 - Pg 16

✩ PHYC's connection with Hawaii's five-time medalist in three consecutive Olympics, Duke Kahanamoku

As the 33rd Olympics close, #FlashbackFriday August 9, 2024 recalls PHYC's connection with Hawaii's five-time medalist in three consecutive Olympics, Duke Kahanamoku (1890-1968).  The legendary Hawaiian's life covered an incredible range, and PHYC was honored to be a small part of it.  A master waterman, Duke probably first worked with PHYC as chairman of Regatta Day for the 1930 Kamehameha Day celebrations, where PHYC donated a trophy.  Later that year, PHYC members involved in the 1930 Transpac worked with Duke on the Reception and Entertainment Committee.  In May 1934, Duke sailed as Boatswain aboard Harold Dillingham's Manu'iwa, which won the race (see July 18, Transpac post), and in January 1935 PHYC elected Duke a life member in recognition of “the unselfish manner in which he has given his every aid toward the betterment and credit of Hawaii.”

Over the next seven years, the future Ambassador of Aloha helped the club recognize famous guests like Shirley Temple (see January 4 post), John Ford (see December 14 post), and other Hollywood stars.  Duke appeared in PHYC race results beginning in 1936 and was winning races in the Pacific Class boats from August 1937, later Herreshoff S Class boats from July 1940.

On December 6, 1941 he sailed from the club to Waikiki, and planned to sail back the following day but never did (see December 7 post).  Duke understood more than most that PHYC could not return to Pearl Harbor after the attack and was instrumental in getting Waikiki Yacht Club established later in the war and afterwards.

In 1958, at age 67, Duke helped educate the next generation of sailors from the newly organized Pearl Harbor Sailing and Pacific Yacht Clubs on the true art of sailing, notching three wins in Catamaran and dinghy classes to clinch the inaugural Pearl Harbor Sailing Club Challenge at Ke'ehi Lagoon (see February 1 post).

Mahalo nui loa, Duke

SOURCES:

"Outrigger Canoe Sailing Races To Be Revived for Regatta" Star-Bulletin - Fri, May 23, 1930 - Pg 7

"Trans-Pacific 1930 Entrants to Set Sail Next Friday" Star-Advertiser - Tue, Jul 1, 1930 - Pg 12

"Yacht Club Elects Duke Life Member" Star-Advertiser - Wed, Jan 23, 1935 - Pg 1

"Carl Brissons at Royal Hawaiian" Star-Advertiser - Sun, Mar 17, 1935 - photo:dukeswaikiki.com/duke/

"Alex Anderson Wins Navy Gaboon Cup Yacht Series" Star-Advertiser - Mon, Aug 9, 1937 - Pg 6

"Kahanamoku Is Pacific Race Victor" Star-Advertiser - Mon, Feb 28, 1938 - Pg 11

"Duke Wins Yacht Race" Star-Advertiser - Fri, Jul 5, 1940 - Pg 10

"Huapala Wins Series – Dillingham, Kahanamoku Win Title" Star-Advertiser - Wed, Aug 21, 1940 - Pg 8

"Kahanamoku Race Winner" Star-Bulletin - Mon, Oct 14, 1940 - Pg 12

"Nadine Alexander Kahanamoku" 1987 Interview re: Dec 7 1941 - Pg 8 - site: manoa.hawaii.edu

"Waikiki Yacht Club – The First 60 Years" Michael Simpson - 2004 - retrieved online

"Duke Kahanamoku Sails Off With Most Honors" Star-Bulletin - Mon, Feb 3, 1958 - Pg 19

✩ PHYC almost moved to Moku o Loʻe – or Coconut Island!

#ThrowbackThursday July 11, 2024 recalls the time when PHYC almost moved to Moku o Loʻe – or Coconut Island!

As WW2 wound down, PHYC members looked to resurrect the club, if not at Pearl Harbor, then perhaps elsewhere.  Some members opted to help create Waikiki Yacht Club in 1944, but another possibility arose in May 1946 when Los Angeles oilman and political leader Edwin W. Pauley, plus four other investors, purchased Coconut Island from the estate of Chris Holmes II.  In November, the Advertiser reported PHYC was actively looking for new sites, and on January 26, 1947 the club met at Coconut Island for an informal meeting.  Ten days later, newspapers across the country carried a story of “Coconut Island Club International” with plans of “docks and anchorages for boats, bathhouses and boat houses… a bowling alley… tennis courts… quarters for the Pearl Harbor Yacht Club, (and) a lookout tower commanding a stunning view of Kaneohe Bay and Oahu.”

The plans never materialized, and by August the club concept was abandoned.  In 1950 a small hotel opened on the island, which then closed in 1952.  The island eventually became entirely devoted to a marine research station for the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology, which it remains today.

SOURCES:

Wikipedia - Coconut Island (Oahu Island)

“Moku o Loʻe: a history of Coconut Island” Bishop Museum Press, 2007; P. Christiaan Klieger, Philip Helfrich, Jo-Ann Leong.

Southern California Architectural History blog: “Paul R. Williams and A. Quincy Jones: Coconut Island Club International, 1946” socalarchhistory.blogspot.com/2009/12/paul-r-williams-and-quincy-jones.html

“PHYC Yachts moored in Ala Moana near temporary WYC” – LA Times – Mon, 4 Nov 1946 – pg 13

“PHYC meets to consider new site” – Advertiser – Tue, 26 Nov 1946 – pg 12

“PHYC Plans Meeting at Coconut Island” Star-Bulletin – Fri, 24 Jan 1947 – pg 13

“Promoters Buy Pacific Paradise” – Fort Myers News-Press - Sun, 9 Feb 1947 – pg 6

“Coconut Isle Club May Be Converted Into Deluxe Hotel” – Star-Bulleting – Tue, 20 May 1947 – pg 1

“Coconut Island to Remain Private Retreat” – Star-Bulletin – Fri, 1 Aug 1947 – pg 4

“Coconut Island Membership Drive Launched” – Star-Bulletin – Sat, 10 Apr 1948 – pg 29

“Coconut Island Could Be Bought for $1M” – Star-Bulletin – Fri, 9 Jul 1948 – pg 1

“Coconut Island Leased to Group for Hotel Use” – Star-Bulletin – Mon, 19 Dec 1949 – pg 1

“Coconut Island Hotel Now Open” – Star-Bulletin – Tue, 14 Feb 1950 – pg 19

“Chase Denies Offer for Island” – Star-Bulletin – Thr, 3 Jul, 1952 – pg 2

    reports hotel closed in February 1952

✩ Lipton Cup, presented to PHYC in 1930 on behalf of Sir Thomas Lipton by his friend, Commodore Clarence Macfarlane, himself the “father” of the Transpacific Yacht Race.

#FlashbackFriday April 26, 2024 recalls the original Lipton Cup, presented to PHYC in 1930 on behalf of Sir Thomas Lipton by his friend, Commodore Clarence Macfarlane, himself the “father” of the Transpacific Yacht Race.

Sir Thomas (1848-1931) started as a simple cabin boy on steamers, made his fortune in grocery stores and later, most famously, in the tea business.  An avid yacht racer, he challenged for the America’s Cup five times between 1899 and 1930, losing every time with grace and humility.  To encourage interest in the sport, he donated many “Lipton Cups” for both individual and perpetual regattas.

Hawaii’s connection with a Lipton Cup began with the first Transpac race in 1906.  The Pacific Commercial Advertiser noted on January 1st that Sir Thomas was asked to provide a cup for the winner of the coming race.  Though it didn’t occur that year, Hawaii Yacht Club did host the awards banquet for sailors from that first Transpac at their Pearl Harbor Clubhouse on June 30th (see our #Throwback post of December 28)

Commodore Macfarlane persisted.  His photo album (in the Hawaii State Archives) contains news clippings that document his meeting with Sir Thomas at the New York Yacht Club, and his continued attempt to have the Baron sail to Hawaii.  Separate Lipton Cups were finally awarded in 1926 and 1928 to Transpac winners with the best corrected time each year.

In 1930, the perpetual Lipton Cup – the one we have today – was deeded to PHYC.  It was the fifth such cup awarded in the U.S., and bears enameled replicas of Sir Thomas Lipton’s personal flag and the burgee of the original Pearl Harbor Yacht Club.  Commodore Macfarlane represented Sir Thomas when, on May 18, acting Governor Brown presented the trophy to PHYC at their clubhouse on the peninsula.   The cup was awarded to the winners of an elimination series to represent the Hawaiian Star fleet in competition at Internationals.  The first winners were R. Alexander Anderson (see our post of December 21) and Clarence Dyer.  The 12th and last, pre-war awardees were Laurie Dowsett (age 17!) and Lloyd Osborne on August 10, 1941.  The trophy disappeared after the war but returned to competition in 1987.  It’s now known as the Lipton Challenge, or Lipton 1 Cup, to differentiate it from the Lipton 2, or Lipton One Design Cup, which Waikiki Yacht Club had created in 1954 to replace the original when it was still missing.

SOURCES:

“White Wings to Sail Across Pacific” Pacific Commercial Advertiser - Mon, Jan 01, 1906 ·Pg 5

“Governor Presents Yachting Trophies” Honolulu Advertiser - Sun, Jul 01, 1906 ·Pg 1 (photo)

“Lipton Cannot Come to Hawaii” Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Mon, Nov 25, 1912 ·Pg 3

“Sir Tom Knows About Pacific Yachting Race” Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Mon, Feb 12, 1923 ·Pg 8

“Lipton Trophy and Yachtsman who helped get it” Honolulu Advertiser - Sun, Jun 20, 1926 ·Pg 8 (photo)

“Exhibits the Lipton Cup” Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Sat, May 26, 1928 ·Page 9

“Beautiful Award Put Up for PHYC Competition” Honolulu Advertiser - Sun, May 04, 1930 ·Pg 11 (photo)

“Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy” Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Sat, May 24, 1930 ·Pg 8 (photo)

“Lipton Cup is Awarded to Anderson” Honolulu Advertiser - Mon, Jun 09, 1930 · Pg 1

“Laurie Dowsett Wins Lipton Trophy” Honolulu Advertiser - Mon, Aug 11, 1941 · Pg 10

✩ Inauguration of the Easter Invitational Regatta 

#ThrowbackThursday remembers this exact date 60 years ago today, March 28th, 1964, when the new post-war PHYC (less than 1 year old!) inaugurated the Easter Invitational Regatta.  One year later, when the club was a founding member of the Hawaii Yacht Racing Association, this race became the first event of the racing season.

Sailed initially out of the PHYC’s Ke’ehi lagoon facility, and later from Rainbow Bay when the club moved there, the legendary regatta ran for 37 years.  Early years at Ke’ehi involved racing in the lagoon and offshore, a Saturday evening banquet, Sunday breakfast, more racing and then Sunday night trophies.  Boats were divided into two major divisions – large, offshore yachts and smaller boats.  Dozens of boats participated, sometimes more than 125 in popular years.

• In 1966, the regatta moved to the weekend after (or sometimes before) Easter, to not conflict with the holiday.

• In 1974, after the club moved to Rainbow Bay, a trip around Ford Island was usually included in the course, complete with colorful displays of spinnakers on the downwind side.

• In 1975, the regatta contended with strong trades, and shifting wind patterns caused by the “new” Aloha Stadium.

• In 1997, the race made its last circuit around Ford Island, just before the Ford Island Causeway finished construction.

• The 37th and last regatta was conducted on April 16th, 2000.

• On February 9th, 2001 the Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collided, sinking the Japanese training ship with the loss of nine lives aboard her.  Out of respect for the families, the Easter Invitational was postponed to September 22-23, but never held due to the 9/11 terror attacks that sent the US to war.

Phil Uhl took many wonderful photos of the race, and the club welcomes any other photos or stories that readers may have from this legendary regatta.

SOURCES:

“PHYC will sponsor Easter Invitational” Advertiser · 26 Mar 1964, Thu · Pg 23

“Nautical Notes” Star-Bulletin · 13 Apr 1966, Wed · Pg 72

“100 yachtsmen at Pearl today” Advertiser · 20 Apr 1974, Sat · Pg 48

“Nautical Notes” Star-Bulletin · 9 Apr 1975, Wed · Pg 42

"Pearl Harbor Once a Yachting Center" Star-Bulletin · 7 Dec 1983, Wed · Pg 3

“Pearl Harbor Regatta” Star-Bulletin · 29 Mar 1997, Sat · Pg 16

“Sailing” Star-Bulletin · 18 Apr 2000, Tue · Pg 26

PHYC “The Dinghy” August 2001

✩ The Very First Meeting of PHYC! 

The first meeting of PHYC was held 100 years ago yesterday on March 6, 1924.  At that and a following meeting held three days later, Herbert Dowsett was elected the club’s first Commodore.

Herbert Melville Dowsett was born in Honolulu April 14, 1890 - a 4th generation descendant of Captain Samuel Dowsett, a British Naval officer who settled in Honolulu in 1828.  A life-long sailor, he was one of seven owners of small boats in 1915 that started racing in Honolulu Harbor and then moved to Pearl Harbor due to increased shipping traffic.  That group stopped racing in 1917 due to wartime restrictions in Pearl Harbor, but later became of the nucleus of the ten founders of PHYC in 1924.

A highly skilled sailor of Star boats, he was one of six charter members of the Hawaiian Islands Star Fleet.  Herbert was skipper of the first team to represent Hawaii at the International Star Race Championship in 1925 off Long Island, and again in 1926 at the same location.  Sailing was definitely a family passion as he and wife, Laura, won the right to represent Hawaii in 1929 in New Orleans but could not attend due to family illness (Laura was subject of our 1/24/24 Throwback).  Four years later, he saw his son, 15-year-old Herbert Jr “Puck”, represent Hawaii in 1933 off Long Beach, CA.  In 1940, he saw his other son, Laurie, also represent Hawaii in Los Angeles.

Following WW2, Herbert was elected second-to-last Commodore of the “old” PHYC in 1947.  He passed away on February 17, 1969.

SOURCES:

Honolulu Advertiser, 30 Jul 1925, Thu · Page 7

Pearl Harbor Yacht Club Yearbook, 1928

Honolulu Advertiser, 6 Aug 1933, Sun · Page 8

Honolulu Advertiser, 10 Aug 1940, Sat · Page 8

Honolulu Advertiser, 29 Jan 1947, Wed · Page 7

Honolulu Advertiser, 18 Feb 1969, Tue · Page 27

✩ When PHYC Went to War! 

After December 7th, 1941 the Navy took over the club's property and turned it into the headquarters for a Patrol Torpedo (PT) Boat Squadron.  Sailboats tied up to the pier were soon replaced by PT boats nested several abreast, and naval officers lodged in rooms at the old clubhouse.  Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron One (MTB Ron 1), which fought at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, moved in to the newly created “Sub-Section Base” on March 16th, 1942.  In mid-1943, when they deployed to the South Pacific, MTB Ron 26 replaced them.  Sailors and officers passed the time training and practicing, enjoying the weather and tolerating the monotony, but also wishing they were with the front line of the Pacific war that moved increasingly westward.  MTB Ron 26 was decommissioned on December 3rd, 1945, and the deserted clubhouse demolished sometime in the early 1950s.

SOURCES:

“Waikiki Yacht Club: The First 60 Years.”  Michael E. Simpson, 2004

“War Diary for Period 1 March to 31 March, 1942.” Commandant, Fourteenth Naval District, April 9, 1942.

“US PT Boats List: Squadron List.” http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/pt/squadron.htm , revised 11 Aug 1997.

“PT Activities, Pearl Harbor Area”, April 30, 1942, video retrieved from National Archives, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75605

“PT Boat Docked at Pearl City”, April, 1942. National Archives II, 80-G-20379

“Emergency Drill for PT Boat Crews”, April, 1942. National Archives II, 80-G-66239

“Movie Crew at Pearl City Yacht Club”, April, 1942. National Archives II, 80-G-11859

“Officers Dining at Pearl City Yacht Club”, April, 1942. National Archives II, 80-G-63489

“Motor Torpedo Boat Photo Archive: PT-259” http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/05259.htm

Baker, Botts in World War II: A Collection of Narrative Accounts of Their Service Experiences Written by Men of the Law Firm of Baker, Botts, Andrews and Wharton, Houston, Texas, 1947.  See pg 656 by LT A.B. White, USNR.

The General Said “Nuts”: Firsthand Accounts of Wartime Heroism, Horror, and Humor, by Bill Walraven, 2009.  See pgs 169-170 and 186-188.

✩ One of PHYC’s First Wahine Sailors: Laura Nott Dowsett.

#ThrowbackThursday honors one of PHYC’s first Wahine sailors, Laura Nott Dowsett.

Born in 1891, her great-grandfather was Dr. Gerrit P Judd, a famous missionary who arrived in Hawaii in 1828.  In 1912 she married Herbert Melville Dowsett.  Queen Liliuokalani was a guest at the reception following their honeymoon.  Herbert was elected first Commodore of PHYC in 1924, the year their fourth child was born.  She crewed for him on Star boats, and they won the race to represent Hawaii at the 1929 International Star championship in New Orleans but couldn’t attend due to family illness.  In 1931 she began skippering Star boats herself and, a few months later, was the first woman skipper to win a Star race.  A 1936 article cites her as the first woman yachtist in the territory, and by 1938 women skippers and crew were abundant in PHYC’s season opening photo.  Laura continued winning races into her late 40s and 50s, but WW2 interrupted her sailing and she turned to establishing occupational therapy departments in Army and Navy hospitals.  Outside of sailing, she was the island’s first occupational therapist and, in 1929, first person to be director of occupational therapy in Hawaii.  The Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii and Junior League of Honolulu have perpetual awards in her name.  A Star sailing award cup existed in her name in the 1930s but is now lost.  She passed away in 1981 at age 90.

✩ PHYC’s Youngest (Honorary) Commodore – Shirley Temple      

#ThrowbackThursday celebrates the New Year – our 100th! – with a memory of PHYC’s youngest (Honorary) Commodore – Shirley Temple.

Born in 1928, the seven-year-old film star visited Hawaii for the first time in 1935, a few months after receiving a special Academy Award for her work as a juvenile performer.  16,000 people attended a performance at Iolani Palace.  In the days before television, everyone went to the movie theaters, and everyone knew who Shirley Temple was. 

On August 3rd, Shirley visited PHYC, arriving by Navy gig.  She attended a picnic, met children of PHYC members, and watched races, narrated by PHYC life-member Duke Kahanamoku.  Commodore Jack Balch also made her an Honorary Commodore!

Years later, in 1950, she met Charles Black at a party in Honolulu.  Working for the Hawaiian Pineapple Company at the time, Charles was a combat vet of WW2 PT boats, a recreational yachtsman, Transpac sailor, and naval reserve intelligence officer.  The couple were married later that year, and stayed together until he died in 2005.

After her film career, Shirley continued in public service, and was appointed US Ambassador to Ghana by President Ford, and then Ambassador to Czechoslovakia by President H.W. Bush.  She was in Prague during the Velvet Revolution, and helped establish relations with the newly elected, democratic government of Václav Havel.  She passed away in 2014.

✩ Legendary Hollywood Director John Ford joined PHYC in August of 1935

Legendary Hollywood Director John Ford joined PHYC in August of 1935.

When he arrived on Oahu aboard his yacht Araner, flying the colors of Pearl Harbor Yacht Club.  His name appears in PHYC’s membership rolls from 1935 to 1941, and the yacht flew PHYC’s burgee until it was donated to the Navy for use in coastal patrols off California during WW 2.  Following the war, the vessel appeared in Ford’s 1963 film “Donovan’s Reef” with John Wayne and Lee Marvin, filmed on Kauai.