Bruce Blankenfeld initially made an impact in the waters of Maunalua Bay as an influential paddler, coach and president of Hui Nalu Canoe Club.

Fast-forward nearly four decades and Blankenfeld has expanded his reach across the world’s oceans, showcasing his talents and expertise on a global scale as “captain, navigator and mentor” on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a. The waterman embodies the meaning of the term as an avid surfer, fisherman, paddling enthusiast and cultural ambassador — a true “utility player” on the open seas.

Blankenfeld was one of four honorees inducted into the Hawaii Waterman’s Hall of Fame at the seventh annual awards ceremony presented by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Tuesday evening at the Outrigger Canoe Club. The Hall of Fame honors the achievements of Hawaii’s outstanding watermen and women who have played an integral role in furthering Hawaii’s cultural heritage. Net proceeds raised from the event support the foundation’s college scholarship fund and athletic grants for Hawaii residents; in 2015, nearly $180,000 was awarded.

“This is really special, and it represents a celebration of our rich ocean heritage,” Blankenfeld said. “This celebration allows the next generation to step up and discover their potential through this pathway.”

The 2016 class also included: Diane Stowell, a two-time All-America swimmer at UCLA who claimed more than 100 national and international swimming titles; Paul Strauch Jr., a pioneer in the world of surfing who won multiple titles and is regarded as the first to use “bottom” turns while riding large waves; and Sharron Weber, a two-time World Surfing Champion and six-time Hawaii state title winner.

“I’m very humbled to receive this award, it’s fantastic. To come back to where I originally began surfing right here 50 years ago is just a great honor,” said Weber, the 68-year-old honoree who first started surfing at age 15 in the waters off Waikiki Beach.

Appropriately, Blankenfeld joins Master Navigator and brother-in-law Nainoa Thompson in the Waterman Hall of Fame. Thompson was inducted in 2011, and has teamed with Blankenfeld and the Polynesian Voyaging Society on Malama Honua, the unprecedented around-the-world voyage on Hokule‘a.

Nearly 30 years ago, Blankenfeld and Thompson took on the arduous task of rebuilding Hokule‘a and navigating the world’s oceans without the use of modern instruments. Instead, the navigators use a passed-down understanding of the stars, wind, waves and natural cues to guide the double-hulled vessel and her crew, while also teaching the next generation of navigators about the nuances of sailing and wayfinding.

“The knowledge that we were fortunate to gain through participating has been handed down through millennia. It’s not like (these practices) were just discovered 40 years ago,” Blankenfeld said. “Now, we’re the guys that get to witness all the richness and awesome things behind the culture, but we’re also responsible for passing it on so the next generation can keep it rolling and build on it.”

Jimmy Austin helped steer Hui Nalu to a second consecutive victory in the Duke Kahanamoku Race, a 26-mile long-distance competition, on Sunday. At Tuesday’s event, the veteran paddler reflected on the significance of the triumph coinciding with what would have been Duke Kahanamoku’s 126th birthday along with Blankenfeld’s induction.

“It’s very special because Duke was a longtime paddler with Hui Nalu, one of the old-time Beach Boys,” Austin said. “It means a lot to the whole crew and the club.”