Ernest H. “Tommy” Thomas was elected to Life Membership in the Outrigger Canoe Club at the Annual Meeting on February 23, 1998. Tommy joined the Club in June 1943 and was one of the Club’s most active members. He served on the Board of Directors, including President; chaired the Entertainment, Historical, House & Grounds, Judges of Election, Nominating, Long Range Planning, Bylaws, Volleyball, Water Safety, Canoe and Sailing committees.
Tommy loved water sports and was an accomplished surfer, outrigger canoe paddler, spear fisherman and one of the Club’s top volleyball players. He was a member of the Club’s championship junior crew from 1943-1949. He was also President and Secretary of the Kamaaina Hui.
While Vice-President in 1967 he was instrumental in establishing the Club’s Historical Committee. After his term as President, he served 27 years on the Historical Committee. He developed a profile of the Club’s senior members for committee use and reference.
During his presidency, he negotiated a favorable solution with the State for the use of the Club’s anchorage which had been challenged.
Board of Directors
1962 Director
1963 Secretary
1965 Treasurer
1966 Director
1967 Director
1968 Vice President Activities
1969 President
1970 Director
Beach and Water Safety Committee
1967 Chair
Buildings & Grounds Committee
171 Member
Canoe Committee
1947 Member
Entertainment Committee
1962 Coordinating Director
1963 Coordinating Director
1968 Member
Finance Committee
1990 Member
Historical Committee
1967 Chair
1968 Member
1970 Member
1972 Member
1972 Member
1973 Member
1974 Member
1975 Member
1976 Member
1977 Member
1978 Member
1979 Member
1980 Member
1982 Member
1983 Member
1984 Member
1985 Member
1986 Member
1987 Member
1988 Member
1989 Member
1990 Member
1991 Member
1992 Member
1993 Member
1994 Member
1995 Member
House & Grounds Committee
1958 Chair
Judges of Election Committee
1961 Member
1973 Member
1974 Member
1975 Member
1976 Member
1977 Member
1978 Member
1982 Chair
1983 Chair
Long Range Planning Committee
1970 Member
1972 Chair
1974 Member
1982 Chair
1983 Chair
Nominating Committee
1949 Member
1950 Member
1951 Member
1954 Member
1963 Chair
Volleyball Committee
1949 Chair
1950 Chair
Athletic Achievements
Macfarlane Regatta
1944 1st, Junior Men 6
1944 1st, 6-Man Relay
1944 1st, Junior Men 4
1945 1st Senior Men 4
1945 1st, Officers 6
1947 1st, 12-Men Relay
Volleyball
1944 1st, 6-man Volleyball Championship
1945 1st, 6-man Volleyball Championship