Statue pays tribute to A.E. "Toots" Minvielle who played
a big role in the sport of outrigger paddling.
One thing's for sure at the airport, you're either going or coming. Next time you're doing either, check out this heroic statue plunked down on the main concourse of John Rodgers Terminal at Honolulu International Airport. It's a memorial to legendary outrigger paddler A.E. "Toots" Minvielle. Paddler statue works
fine as airport art
Minvielle moved here in 1901 from Puerto Rico, along with nearly 400 other Puerto Ricans imported by the Hawaii Sugar Planters Association. Minvielle fell in love with paddling, and helped, over the years, to establish it as a legitimate water sport. Deeply patriotic, despite being naturalized after the Spanish-American War, Minvielle was a fixture in Hawaii 4th of July parades, carrying an American flag well in his 80s.
But why is his statue at the airport? According to Joyce Omine, coordinator of airport cultural activities for the Department of Transportation, it might be more appropriate for the statue to be at a beach, but in the meantime, the airport is as good a venue as any.
The statue was paid for by a non-profit organization run by Minvielle's heirs, said Omine, and donated to the state's planned Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, an organization run by ex-UH coach and disk jockey Larry Price.
"They were looking for a home for the statue, which is a beautiful work of art," said Omine.
In the meantime, and parallel to this scenario, a master plan was developed by the Hawaii Airports Cultural Advisory Committee, and the primary theme is voyaging. Some bright person at the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts thought, "Voyaging ... paddling statue ... voyaging ... paddling statue ... hey!" and decided to install it at the airport.
It's not permanent, said Omine. The statue can be moved if a more appropriate home is found.
Burl Burlingame, Star-Bulletin
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