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SB655
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
655
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING
TO RICHARD "BUFFALO" KEAULANA DAY
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana was an iconic
surfer and lifesaver.
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Born on September 2,
1935, in Honolulu, Keaulana learned to surf as a young boy in the gentle
rollers off Waikiki.
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Keaulana eventually
graduated to the level of "beach boy" before his family settled in
his home community of Makaha.
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Keaulana
grew to be known as one of Hawaii's most naturally talented surfers.
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His smooth style, switch-stance skills, and
"nose for the pocket" made him a favorite at the annual Makaha
International contest, an event he won in 1960.
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Keaulana captured six of the top-four finishes in the contest between
1957 and 1965.
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His achievements led many
to consider him the world's best bodysurfer at the time.
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Along with his renowned surfing talent,
Keaulana was named Makaha's chief lifeguard in 1969, a position he held for
over two decades.
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He came to be known as
the "mayor of Makaha", and in 1972, the community erected a statue in
his honor in front of the Makaha library.
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Keaulana was also honored with an annual surf contest and beach party in
his name, Buffalo's Big Board Classic, which continues to be a community mainstay
today.
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Additionally, in 2010, Keaulana
was inducted into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation hall of fame.
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Perhaps his greatest honor and achievement
was becoming the patriarch of his own West Oahu dynasty, currently in its third
generation.
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Two of his six children have
noteworthy careers in surfing:
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Brian, a
world‑class waterman and big-wave surfer; and Rusty, a three‑time
world longboard champion (1993-1995).
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His family continues to be known as "Makaha's first family".
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Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana's
enduring legacy of aloha has touched generations of ocean lovers and surfers
worldwide.
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A friend and fellow beach boy
of Duke Kahanamoku, Keaulana's contributions to the sport of surfing and
Hawaiian cultural restoration are everlasting.
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In 1976, Keaulana was on the first voyage of the Hokulea to Tahiti,
acting as the voyaging canoe's steersman.
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His unique nickname, "Buffalo", derives from his constant
connection and companionship with the water, in addition to his "large head
and copious amounts of hair", as his friends would describe him.
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As Makaha's first lifeguard, Keaulana's
legacy extends beyond surfing and his ambassadorship of aloha.
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He not only was essential in protecting
swimmers in Makaha's rough waters but was a father figure to many of West
Oahu's youth.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
honor Keaulana by designating September 2nd of each year as Richard
"Buffalo" Keaulana Day.
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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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Richard
"Buffalo" Keaulana Day.
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September 2 of each year shall
be known and recognized as "Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana
Day"; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a
state holiday.
"
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SECTION 3.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Richard "Buffalo"
Keaulana Day
Description:
Designates
September 2nd of each year as "Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana
Day".
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.