This spring, students at the University of California, Santa Cruz took part in a public history course focused on the origins of surfing in the United States. The class explored how three Hawaiian princes—David Kawānanakoa, Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, and Edward Abnel Keliʻiahonui—introduced surfing to Santa Cruz in 1885. Their visit marked a significant moment in American cultural history.
The ten-week course was led by Jasmine Alinder, Dean of Humanities and History Professor at UC Santa Cruz. It was structured as a project-based learning experience and partnered with the Museum of Art and History (MAH) in downtown Santa Cruz. Students developed interactive “history trunks” for K–12 teachers to use alongside the MAH exhibition “Princes of Surf 2025: He’e nalu Santa Cruz,” which opened July 18 and runs through January 4, 2026.
Alinder acknowledged her own initial unfamiliarity with surfing’s past: “I didn’t know anything about the history of surfing before this class,” she said. “But what we learned was both fascinating and necessary.”
The exhibition highlights how the Hawaiian princes crafted redwood surfboards weighing up to 175 pounds and demonstrated surfing near the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Local newspapers documented their activities, but over time, stereotypes have overshadowed this multicultural origin story. The exhibition includes replicas of the original boards, artifacts from Hawaiʻi, and details about Antoinette Swan—a Hawaiian-born woman who hosted the princes during their stay.
Alinder noted that when considering California’s surfing history, it is important to also recognize earlier Indigenous relationships with coastal waters: “When we think of the history of surfing in California, of course, there is also an earlier Indigenous history of interaction with the ocean’s surf and tidal zones.”
Students’ work on educational trunks builds on a model previously used for MAH’s LGBTQ+ “Queerstory” exhibit. These trunks contain hands-on activities designed for elementary through high school levels to encourage discussion about representation in surfing history.
“We wanted to create something that lived beyond the exhibit,” Alinder said. “These trunks are filled with hands-on activities and discussion prompts to help young people challenge assumptions about who surfs, who’s represented in history, and who’s been excluded.”
Six prototype trunks were created by students this quarter; they are being refined over summer under Leo Coletta—a double major in History and Politics at UC Santa Cruz—who is now serving as a Museum Education Fellow through Humanities EXCEL.
Student Benyamin Alfaro commented on making historical information accessible: “It is not enough for information to stay at a museum or a university,” he said. “This information needs to be spread to our K-12 educational areas. Public history is incredibly active and very real; it is important to show K-12 students how the world around them is moving and breathing, not stagnant.”
Wyatt Dana shared his enthusiasm for combining interests: “When I first saw the listing, I had to re-read the description because I thought it was too good to be true! Surfing has been a passion of mine since I was in childhood… I also liked the education component… as teaching is a career path I am considering.”
Guest speakers included Esabella Bonner from Black Surf Santa Cruz—a group promoting inclusivity—and scholar Isaiah Helekunihi Walker whose research examines surfing as Indigenous resistance.
Beyond classroom study, most students participated in an introductory surf lesson led by local instructors.
Reflecting on her experience teaching this topic for the first time, Alinder stated: “I’ve taught many public history and museum studies courses, and this topic wasn’t part of my normal teaching repertoire,” she says. “But it was fun. It reminded me that local history isn’t just something we read—it’s something we build, share, and question together.”
Marla Novo from MAH described broader goals for both exhibition and community dialogue: “In organizing this exhibition, we want to share a few links to a broader conversation… This isn’t the beginning or end of the narrative. It continues in ways we connect with each other…”
The “Heʻe Nalu” exhibit marks 140 years since surfing arrived on California’s coastlines; it is co-sponsored by The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz.
