LIHUE — Nick Beck received the Kauai County Council’s commendation during the Wednesday council meeting for his induction into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation Waterman Hall of Fame.
“This is a big deal,” said Kauai County Councilmember Felicia Cowden. “Being a Waterman Hall of Fame is not just an everyday item, and not everyone can be a Waterman Hall of Famer.”
Born and raised on Kauai, Beck has been a “transformative figure” in the world of outrigger canoe paddling and Hawaiian canoe sailing for decades.
“The Kauai County Council commends you on receiving one of Hawaii’s most prestigious awards, and honors your outstanding contribution towards both outrigger canoe paddling, and canoe sailing in Hawaii,” the commendation states. “The Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame honors those remarkable legends within our island’s water sports community whose lifetime contributions have inspired and perpetuated the unique connection between our kama u ina and the ocean.”
Beck co-founded the Hanalei Hawaiian Canoe Club and the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association en route to helping shape the future of both outrigger paddling and canoe sailing in Hawaii.
Included among his many achievements are being a two-time Molokai Hoe Canoe Racing World Champion, and winning titles and coaching at the Waikiki Surf Club, Outrigger Canoe Club and Kauai Canoe Club.
“Nick’s innovative spirit is exemplified in his design and construction of the Holopuni, a three-person sailing canoe that has become a benchmark for ease of use and durability in challenging interisland voyages,” the commendation stated. “It was his time and dedication to canoe sailing on the Holopuni that reminded him of the traditional ways of our ancestors who would not only fish, sail and surf, but also voyage and explore.”
An educator by profession, Beck earned degrees from the University of Southern California and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He served as the principal of the Hanalei Elementary School.
“We recognize his steadfast commitment to Kauai, and our North Shore communities, previously serving on several board of directors, including the Hanalei Museum, Kilauea Point Natural History Association, and was a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals,” the commendation stated.
Beck was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Nov. 7.
