How 3 Hawaiian teen princes brought surfing to the mainland 140 years ago

By Chloe Veltman

Published August 30, 2025 at 7:43 AM EDT

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History's Princes of Surf exhibition tells of how three visiting Hawaiian princes brought the sport to these shores 140 years ago.

Chloe Veltman

Chloe Veltman is a correspondent on NPR's Culture Desk.

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Houthi rebels say Israeli airstrike killed their prime minister in Yemen's capital

The Associated Press

The Iranian-backed Houthis said an Israeli airstrike killed the prime minister of the rebel-controlled government in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
NPR News

139 days: 3 Scottish brothers set a record for fastest row across the Pacific

The Associated Press

Jamie, Ewan and Lachlan Maclean completed the fastest unsupported row across the Pacific, arriving in Cairns, Australia, on Saturday. They rowed over 9,000 miles non-stop from Peru.
NPR News

Photos: Mother Nature must be really annoyed at our fakery

Jonathan Lambert

A polar bear in a zoo, a hotel balcony overlooking elephants, a tree mural shrouded by haze: They're images from the new book The Anthropocene Illusion, about the way humans are remaking Earth.
NPR News

Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy for 2nd time in less than a year

The Associated Press

The budget carrier filed for fresh bankruptcy protection months after emerging from a Chapter 11 reorganization. The airline said it plans to keep flying as usual during the restructuring process.
NPR News

Opinion: It's time to 'move our feet'

Scott Simon

The shooting this week at a Minneapolis Catholic school that killed 2 children won't the be last such incident. NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the cycle of school shootings and their aftermaths.