While Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole had many accomplishments as a congressman, many might not be aware that he and his two brothers were instrumental in introducing the sport of surfing to the Pacific Coast.

During the summer of 1885, when Kalanianaole attended St. Matthew's College in California, he, Prince Edward Keliiahonui and Prince David Kawananakoa rode waves at a river mouth on redwood longboards, said Abigail Kawananakoa yesterday during a ceremony at the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu.

A bronze plaque in Santa Cruz, Calif., honors Kalanianaole and his brothers for their contributions to surfing.

“;I have known this for years, but in deference to our athletic and great Hawaiian, Duke Kahanamoku, I felt he deserved the recognition until he passed. And now it is time,”; said Kawananakoa. “;It was the alii that did introduce surfing to the United States.”;

Kawananakoa and more than 200 people gathered at the Royal Mausoleum in remembrance of Kalanianaole's birthday yesterday. The Royal Order of Kamehameha, Ahahui Kaahumanu, Hale o na Alii, Honolulu Hawaiian Civic Club and Prince Kuhio Civic Club were among those who attended.

Kalanianaole's securing the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921 was his greatest accomplishment. Others include obtaining federal appropriation to build an experimental hospital to treat leprosy and amending the Organic Act to authorize the establishment of county governments with elected officials. Kalanianaole also obtained millions in federal funds to develop Pearl Harbor and other military installations in the islands.

“;He was influential with Navy and Army officers seeking to develop Pearl Harbor as the Pacific outpost,”; said Kawananakoa.

During the ceremony, she spoke on other issues concerning ceded lands and accused the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands of becoming more of a bureaucratic organization. “;This executive-controlled group today has no semblance to what Prince Kuhio had in mind,”; she said.

Lloyd Yonenaka, spokesman for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, said, “;We are fulfilling Prince Kuhio's dream of self-sufficiency for providing homeownership opportunities, especially for people who wouldn't have that opportunity anymore.”;

Kawananakoa also criticized the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, saying it is a disgrace that the agency has no transparency and restrictions accountable to anyone. “;They should be investigated and restructured,”; she added.

“;Have they helped one needy family? I think you know the answer,”; she said.

Haunani Apoliona, chairwoman of the board of trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, said, “;Our part of the collective effort of the private alii trust and the public trust really work to serve Hawaiian people to promote and advance their well-being as individuals and families toward self- sufficiency.”;