UNCLE BOBBY

John Danford was Gramma's second lover and the father of my Uncle Bobby. Danford had competed with Duke Kahanamoku in surfing, outrigger canoeing, and rough water swimming. He'd beaten Kahanamoku only once, in an unofficial swim sprint at Alakea Slip, but that victory was enough to make him a legend on Oahu.
"What was Danford like?" I asked my father.
"He was a big rugged Portagee," my father said.
"Do you have any pictures?"
"No."
"How do you know he was big and rugged?"
"Just look at Bobby," my...