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By Ella Boyd, Dana Point Times Lorrin “Whitey” Harrison, a pioneering Californian surfer and central figure in the growth of outrigger canoe racing in Orange County, has been selected as the next honoree at Dana Point’s Watermen’s Plaza. His life-sized bronze statue is scheduled to be installed in 2027. Watermen’s Plaza, located along Pacific Coast Highway across from Doheny State Beach, recognizes influential surfers and industry icons with ties to Dana Point. Harrison will join a lineup that includes filmmaker Bruce Brown, shaper Hobie Alter, surfers Joyce Hoffman and Phil Edwards, SURFER magazine founder John Severson, and tandem surfers/skateboarders Barrie and Steve Boehne. Surfer Mickey Munoz is scheduled to have his statue unveiled later this year. Harrison, born in 1913 in Garden Grove, began surfing in 1925 at age 12. Eight years later, he was among the first to ride waves at San Onofre, and in 1933 he won the Pacific Coast Surf Riding Championships. These milestones are documented in his entry in the Encyclopedia of Surfing by Matt Warshaw, who describes Harrison as a “hot-rodding California surfer in the 1930s and ’40s, and pioneering geriatric surfer in the ’80s and ’90s.” In 1932, Harrison stowed away not once, but twice on a cruise ship bound for Waikiki. According to Warshaw’s account, he was caught and returned to the mainland on his first attempt, then allowed to remain in Hawaii after being discovered again less than 24 hours later on a second try. During a return visit in the late 1930s, he was among the first of the Californians to surf the North Shore of Oahu. Artist Bill Limebrook, who created the plaza’s bronze sculptures, said Harrison’s time in Hawaii shaped the direction of Southern California surf culture. “He was the guy who first went to Hawaii and got to know the Hawaiians, brought the California boys over there,” Limebrook said. Limebrook also said Harrison earned the nickname “Whitey” from Hawaiian surfers because he was the first white mainlander fully accepted into their group. “It’s really an amazing story, that he was the guy who introduced them, the California friends to the Hawaiian friends,” he said. Harrison built surf racks modeled after those at the Outrigger Canoe Club in Waikiki and learned to carve koa logs into outrigger canoes. In 1959, he helped organize California’s first outrigger race, from Catalina Island to Newport Beach. By 1971, he founded what became known as the Whitey Harrison Classic, a 20-mile outrigger canoe race from Dana Point to Laguna Beach and back. The event coincided with the opening of Dana Point Harbor and continues each August. JP Van Swae, Harrison’s grandson, described his grandfather’s approach to life during a recent interview with Dana Point Times.  “He was just always doing something interesting,” said JP, who grew up surfing with Harrison. “No matter what, whether it was working or it was playing, it always seemed fun. Everybody gravitated towards him.  … “He was the patriarch. Hawaii had Duke Kahanamoku. Huntington has George Freeth. In Dana Point, he was the guy everybody looked up to.” Harrison worked as a Santa Monica lifeguard, Hollywood stuntman, surfboard builder, dry cleaner and night watchman. For roughly three decades beginning in 1946, he earned his living as a lobster and abalone diver. That year, he married Cecelia Yorba, a descendant of a California Spanish land grant family. The couple lived in her 18th-century adobe home in San Juan Capistrano, one mile inland from Dana Point, and raised four children together (Harrison had two from a previous marriage).  In 1990, Harrison reached a national audience when he appeared in a Nike advertising campaign, was featured in LIFE magazine and made a guest appearance on Late Night with David Letterman, presented as a vibrant senior surfer. He died of a heart attack in 1993 while driving home with his wife after a morning swim. But with the planned installation of his statue in 2027, Harrison’s legacy will be permanently seen in the community he helped shape through surfing and the revival and growth of outrigger canoe racing.   DP

Announcing! The BIGGEST LITTLE ELEPHANT PARADE®: 10 Partners, 50 Elephants. 1 United Mission. With authorization from Elephant Parade® International and the US Elephant Parade, Gallery Dana Bay has created the first ever “BIGGEST LITTLE ELEPHANT PARADE.” © This exceptional project brings together 50 talented local artists to create 50 one-of-a-kind 15cm elephants in partnership with 10 Dana Point businesses and community leaders, fusing community engagement and breathtaking artistic expression. Upon completion, elephants will be presented at selected receptions honoring the artists, the elephant-art, and the sponsoring partners for the community to enjoy, photograph and share. Kayla Carlson, Elephant Parade Projects Administrator says, “ Over the years we have seen big smiles on hundreds of visitors and residents alike enjoying and photographing the large elephants on display throughout Dana Point. This exhibition gives the opportunity for expression to 50 local artists supporting public art and elephant welfare.” Dana Yarger, Elephant Parade USA, “Elephant Parade exhibitions have appeared in over 20 countries and major capitals including London, Amsterdam, Milan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai to name just a few. Dana Point was the first city host in North America and many full size elephants seen in Dana Point are part of that legacy.” An exhibition of all 50 elephants together is planned for the early spring. The unique, wonderful one-of-a-kind elephants will be available to collectors raising funds in support of Elephant Parade projects, education and elephant welfare! Don’t miss out. Be a part of it! Contact Kayla Carlson for more information. Kayla@ElephantParade-USA.com (949) 276-7597

Join us for an inspiring evening with Janice Munemitsu, author of The Kindness of Color , as she shares a powerful family story rooted in Orange County history. Her narrative reveals how kindness helped her Japanese American family and their Mexican American neighbors overcome racism and injustice. This blog explores the themes of resilience, justice, and kindness in her story and highlights the historical significance behind her family’s journey. Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez Monument in Westminster, a symbol of desegregation and justice A Story Rooted in History and Family Janice Munemitsu’s story begins with her grandparents and father, who lived through the harsh realities of World War II. During this time, Japanese Americans faced incarceration, a grave injustice that uprooted families and communities. Her family’s experience did not end there. They also encountered the fight for equal education, a struggle that connected them with their Mexican American neighbors. The story centers on the landmark 1947 California court case Mendez et al. v. Westminster . This case challenged school segregation and led to the desegregation of California public schools. The victory in this case set a precedent that influenced the later Brown v. Board of Education decision, which ended racial segregation in schools nationwide. Acts of Kindness That Shaped Resilience What makes Janice’s story unique is the focus on kindness as a force that helped families endure hardship. Acts of kindness came from friends and strangers alike, creating a network of support during difficult times. These moments of compassion helped build resilience in the face of two forms of unjust racism: the incarceration of Japanese Americans and the segregation of Mexican American children in schools. Kindness took many forms, such as neighbors offering help, community members standing up for justice, and families supporting each other emotionally. These small but meaningful actions created a foundation for strength and hope. The Role of Community in Fighting Injustice The collaboration between Japanese American and Mexican American families in Orange County highlights the power of community in fighting injustice. Their shared experiences of discrimination brought them together to challenge unfair laws and social norms. The Mendez et al. v. Westminster case was not just a legal battle; it was a community effort. Families, lawyers, and activists worked together to demand equal rights for their children. This cooperation showed how diverse groups can unite to create lasting change. Janice Munemitsu’s Unique Perspective Janice brings a rich background to her storytelling. She is a USC alum, a graduate of the Biola University Institute for Spiritual Renewal, and a former Vice President at ConAgra Foods. Her professional experience and personal history allow her to reflect deeply on themes of justice, kindness, and resilience. As a member of the U.S.-Japan Council, Janice connects her family’s story to broader conversations about cultural understanding and reconciliation. Her work encourages audiences to see history through a personal lens and recognize the ongoing impact of kindness in social justice. Why This Story Matters Today The lessons from Janice Munemitsu’s family story remain relevant. In today’s world, communities still face challenges related to racism, inequality, and division. Her story reminds us that kindness can be a powerful tool to build resilience and promote justice. By learning about the past, we gain insight into how small acts of compassion can lead to significant social change. This history encourages us to support one another and stand up against injustice in our own communities. Event Details and Invitation You are invited to join the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club for an evening with Janice Munemitsu: Date: Wednesday, February 18 Time: 5:45 PM Location: Dana Point City Council Chambers, 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point Enjoy pizza, charcuterie, chicken wings, and non-alcoholic beverages while hearing this moving story. Guests are welcome, so bring a friend! Please RSVP by February 17th to ljcibelli@msn.com. The Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club’s Commitment The Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club is part of Rotary International’s 1.4 million-member network. The club focuses on service, philanthropy, and fellowship, living by the motto Service Above Self . Hosting events like this one reflects their dedication to community education and social justice.