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Hawaii’s Olympic surfers prefer tradition of competing under the Hawaiian flag

By New York Times and WSL

May 22, 2021

Hawaii Photos

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COURTESY WSL

John John Florence is chaired up the beach as the World Champion and winner of the Rip Curl Pro Portugal in 2016.
2/11
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COURTESY WSL

John John Florence of Hawaii is chaired up the beach after winning his Semifinal of the 2017 Billabong Pipe Masters in celebration of becoming a 2X World Champion. Florence dreamed of winning a World Title in Hawaii and that dream became a reality today when he backed up his 2016 World Title which he won in Portugal with the 2017 World Title in Hawaii.
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BRENDAN KO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

A rainbow seen from the shore at Haleiwa on Nov. 21, 2019. U.S. Olympic surfers from Hawaii — the proud home of the sport — would prefer to compete under their own red, white and blue banner.
4/11
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BRENDAN KO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Ezekiel Lau, one of the top Hawaii surfers on the world tour, at Laniakea Beach on Nov. 19, 2019. Lau is among those who are glad to have surfing in the Olympics, but adamant that the ties to Hawaii not be forgotten.
5/11
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BRENDAN KO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Ezekiel Lau, one of the top Hawaiian surfers on the world tour, displays his tattoo of Duke Kahanamoku at Laniakea Beach on Nov. 19, 2019. Lau is among those who are glad to have surfing in the Olympics, but adamant that the ties to Hawaii not be forgotten.
6/11
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BRENDAN KO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Spectators watch a surfing competition in Haleiwa on Nov. 21, 2019. U.S. Olympic surfers from Hawaii — the proud home of the sport — would prefer to compete under their own red, white and blue banner.
7/11
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BRENDAN KO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Surfboards at the Hawaiian Pro in Haleiwa on Nov. 17, 2019. U.S. Olympic surfers from Hawaii — the proud home of the sport — would prefer to compete under their own red, white and blue banner.
8/11
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BRENDAN KO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Seth Moniz at a surfing competition in Haleiwa, Hawaii, on Nov. 17, 2019. U.S. Olympic surfers from Hawaii — the proud home of the sport — would prefer to compete under their own red, white and blue banner.
9/11
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BRENDAN KO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Brian Keaulana (in black shirt at right) at Makaha Beach, on the west side of Oahu, Hawaii, on Nov. 16, 2019. Keaulana, part of a family of surfing royalty, is a big-wave surfer and founder of the Hawaiian Water Patrol.
10/11
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BRENDAN KO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Protesters form a blockade to halt construction of a telescope on Mauna Kea on Dec. 4, 2019. The project is seen by many as the latest case of outsiders disrespecting Native Hawaiians.
11/11
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BRENDAN KO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

An upside-down Hawaii state flag is affixed to a tent as protesters form a blockade to halt construction of a telescope on Mauna Kea on Dec. 4, 2019. U.S. Olympic surfers from Hawaii — the proud home of the sport — would prefer to compete under their own red, white and blue banner.

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