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We lost another legend

By Catherine Toth Fox • October 23, 2012 • Musings, The Daily Dish

One of the Old Guys found this photo of legendary shaper (and friend) Donald Takayama and former NFL great Junior Seau yesterday.

Just looking at it gives me chicken skin.

Junior died in May. Donald — to everyone’s surprise — died yesterday.

The official word is Takayama died of a heart attack, though other reports says he died from complications with surgery. Whatever happened, he shouldn’t have died. He still had a lot of surf in him, and everyone who’s surfed with him in Waikiki, where he grew up and continued to rip, will miss him.

I didn’t know him when he lived here. Donald moved to California back in the ’60s — well before I was born. But whenever he was in town — which was fairly often — he would paddle out to Queen’s and snag a few waves in his signature style. We were kindred goofy-footers out there in the lineup, and he knew just how good that left is at Queen’s.

He would join us for coffee sometimes, always smiling and telling stories. At 68, he still had that stoke.

It makes me think about how often I decide not to paddle out or complain about the waves in town. Here’s this guy who had could surf wherever he wanted, and he still loved the friendly surf at Waikiki. Shame on me for being such a wave snob.

I’ve been riding Takayama boards for years. In fact, my first epoxy is a Takayama and it’s still my go-to board.

The surfing world has lost a master, but our gang has lost a friend.

But I’m sure he’s happy where he is now. I hear the waves up there are always perfect.

Donald TakayamaHawaiiJunior Seausurfboard shapersurfingWaikiki
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FUUD: Takahashiya Tonkotsu Ramen on Kapahulu
Thoughts on friends

About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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9 Comments

  • Reply EdW October 23, 2012 at 10:18 am

    I still have my board shaped by him I bought in the late 70’s.It’s my go to board.
    Tough to hear this bad news as another legend passes.

    • Reply Catherine Toth October 24, 2012 at 4:16 pm

      Yeah, these guys are getting old. Donald, though, was still too young. It’s so sad.

  • Reply M October 23, 2012 at 10:58 am

    My condolences to his family and friends.
    R.I.P. Donald

    • Reply Catherine Toth October 24, 2012 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks for this!

  • Reply dbjack October 23, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    Sorry for your loss! Another one so soon. Keep smiling.

    • Reply Catherine Toth October 24, 2012 at 4:15 pm

      I’m trying! 🙂

  • Reply Annoddah Dave October 23, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    CAT: Was Donald an alum of Kaimuki High?

    • Reply Catherine Toth October 24, 2012 at 4:15 pm

      Yep! But I’m not sure if he graduated…

  • Reply Dr Kent Layton November 2, 2012 at 10:40 am

    Donald was a gentleman and was a great enhancement to the sport of surfing. I remember in the 70s I didnt have a classic board to surf for a classic vintage surfing contest in hermosa beach, Donald took a 3 stringer classic off the wall and loaned it to me to compete. Thats a real gentleman of surfing. See you on the other side Donald, Sorry you left too soon Dr Kent Layton Condolences to all your family

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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