HONOLULU, March 4 (UPI) -- One of original Waikiki beach boys, Robert Henry Krewson, a champion surfer who saw to the seaside needs to tourists of all stripes, has died at age 72.
Krewson operated the beach concession for the Kahlala Hilton Hotel for 25 years, retiring in 1989, the Honolulu Star Bulletin reported. He was popular with beach visitors and was one of the reasons the beach became a "must" destination.
Even after he left that job, he could be seen on the beach at sunrise, taking pictures of tourists and sending the photos to their friends and homes.
Krewson was born on Maui and was one of 35 children at St. Mary's Episcopal Orphanage when nearby Pearl Harbor was bombed Dec. 7, 1941, the Honolulu Advertiser said.
He gave surfing lessons off Waikiki Beach after winning the Makaha International Surfing championship as a tandem surfer.
Krewson, who died last weekend, is survived by his companion Lauren Wong, seven children, two sisters and six grandchildren.
"Bobby was the handsomest guy in the beach. He was a great surfer and he had a line of girls following him all the time," singer Don Ho told the Star Bulletin.
