My perch on Waikiki Beach, with a view of the Queen's surf break where Duke's OceanFest was under way.

WAIKIKI — What I love about the Duke's OceanFest competition is... it's not really a competition.

Yes, there is scoring. As I watched longboard surfing unfurl on Queen's surf break off Waikiki Beach on the Friday of Duke's Week, as it's known, the announcers who were calling the competition from shore explained that the competitors' lowest scores would be doubled and added to the total of their teams.

But no one was paying much attention to it. Not even the announcers were, really. Mostly they gushed about the surfing technique on display, or paid homage to the beach boys and family surfing dynasties in attendance, or praised the weather which is, of course, always praiseworthy.

And that's OceanFest. It's about the aloha spirit as embodied by Duke Kahanamoku, the famed waterman who is credited with popularizing surfing, and for whom this event is named. (The event is held during the week of his birthday, which is Aug. 24.)

A friend who competed that morning in the women's outrigger said as much. We were having the elegant high tea service at the Moana Surfrider later that day, and when she was asked about the scoring, she shook her head and said she had no idea how that turned out. But she was stoked about spending her Friday paddling out in the sun, much as Duke did in those waters a century before.

Another full day of water sports runs tomorrow, described by announcers as a "mix plate, with choke stuff on the side" ... a little bit of pidgin meaning lots of variety. Surf polo, surfing, canoeing and more.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FEST

• Clean, regular sets of 2- to 4-foot waves made for a lot of action out on the water: nose rides, beautiful cutbacks and one very impressive helicopter performed by a Stand-Up Paddleboarder.

• With the Queen's break monopolized by the contest, it was entertaining watching all the other surfers cram onto the Canoes break next door, but everyone seemed to be having a blast with the regularity of sets.

• The announcers riffing on the irony of contest sponsor Hawaiian Airlines being the nation's most on-time airline, when everyone knows that being on "Hawaiian time" means you're running a bit behind schedule.

• Another good riff: They said the only time it rained all day (about 15 minutes' worth in the morning) was when local weatherman Guy Hagi was competing.


It was a hot one out there, but the water was perfectly cool.


As we sunbathed and watched the competition, the live webcast of the event was rolling behind us.