Where In The World Is Sum1?

Duke's, Huntington Beach

         I completed my recent trip to Los Angeles and am back home in snowy Chicago.  What a change in lifestyles and locales.  When I left LA, it was 65-70 degrees out and sunny.  I arrived in Chicago to a light snowfall (3-4 inches on the ground already), and a temperature of sixteen degrees!

         Before I left, I gave myself a treat, and had lunch at Duke's in Huntington Beach.  For those who may not know who 'Duke' was (no, he wasn't John Wayne), Duke Kahanamoku was a Hawaiian man who lived in the early 20^th century.  His full name was Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, he was born August 24th, 1890.  He was not of royal Hawaiian blood, though his lineage was from a family of chieftains in Hawaii.  His father had been christened 'Duke' by  Bernice Pauahi Bishop, and as the eldest son, he inherited that name also.  But he is most famous for, and credited with, promoting the sport of surfing.  He was a Olympic medalist in swimming, and introduced surfing to both Australia and mainland America while doing swimming exhibitions.  The rest is history you could say.  The restaurant "Duke's" is named for him, dining there is as close as one can come to being in Hawaii without being there.  I had a nice meal and enjoyed myself immensely.  If you love anything to do with Hawaii, you'll love dining at Duke's.