The Surfrider

Matson Co.: Surfrider Hotel
Matson Co.: Surfrider Hotel, Kahanamoku Room
Gardner Dailey portrait
Walter Steilberg portrait

Built next to Waikīkī’s first hotel, The Moana (1901), the eight-story Surfrider Hotel was completed in 1952 in the midst of the Hawaii tourism boom. The Moana (1901), the Royal Hawaiian (1927) and the Surfrider were all developed by the Matson Navigation Company who’s famed "white ships" were instrumental in the development of tourism in Hawaii. Matson's Waikīkī hotels provided tourists with luxury accommodations both ashore and afloat. As a structural engineering consultant Walter Steilberg worked with Gardener Dailey on more than ten projects during the course of their careers.  A young Joseph Esherick is the architect to the left of Dailey in the photograph. Esherick worked part-time for structural engineer Steilberg before securing a full-time position in the office of Gardner Dailey.