To the great Kahoona – a hui hou (goodbye, until we meet again…)

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Ron Kaplan, Cliff Robertson and Clay Lacy - 2009

It is with a heavy heart that I share news of yesterday’s passing of “the great Kahoona.”

I have no doubt that many Surf Ohio fans are too young to remember the novel titled “Gidget,” and the 1959 movie that resulted which since has largely been credited (or blamed) for the explosion of surfing’s popularity in modern North America. But likely many of you will know who I refer to as “Uncle Ben” – Spidey’s beloved uncle. Others may recognize him as Navy Lt. Jack Kennedy of “PT-109,” or the President in “Escape from New York,” or the Oscar-winning “Charly” from that movie. The great Kahoona appeared in almost a hundred films, in all.

Sadly, my dear friend and actor, Cliff Robertson – also a pilot, humanitarian, surfer and yes, the original great Kahoona in “Gidget,” died of natural causes in New York yesterday, September 10th – just one day after his 88th birthday.

Somewhere along the way, the spelling of “kahoona” was changed to “kahuna,” and in the 1980s my business cards proudly touted my Kaplan Graphics, Inc. title as “Big Kahuna.” I had no idea at the time that one day in the mid-1990s, not only would I meet the movie’s original great Kahoona, but that we would become fine friends over the course of working together on a variety of mutual aviation interests.

When I founded a film festival in Dayton in 2008, Cliff was the first filmmaker and actor I called to help. He was there to screen movies that he appeared in not one, but two years, and only missed the 3rd Annual Reel Stuff Film Festival in 2010 due to his fierce battle with health issues, the same that eventually claimed his life yesterday. But he still generously served as the festival’s Honorary Chairman – playing the great Kahoona once again, in spirit if not in presence. And Cliff had plenty of spirit.

Cheesy as the original “Gidget” movie poster featuring stars Cliff, Sandra Dee, and James Darren may seem today, I had always intended to obtain a reproduction for Cliff to sign. We spoke of it the last time we were together, when discussing his short-lived foray into the board making business with Dave Sweet on the coat-tails of the movie’s popularity. Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, as they say. But I have many photos, letters and treasured memories of our times together.

We don’t have a DVD of “Gidget” handy, but the family and I will watch our copy of “633 Squadron” this week with bittersweet fondness for this kind, giving soul and giant talent. Mahalo and aloha, Cliff, dear friend and forever our great Kahoona – a hui hou (goodbye, until we meet again…).
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