Surf culture known today barely represents its origins in Hawaiian history. Surfing withstood the test of time, as found in petroglyphs depicting surfers and told in chants dating back to 1500 A.D. It was actually part of the Hawaiian kapu system (system of laws) that distinguished royalty from commoners. Chiefs used surfing to demonstrate their strength and command over their people. After the arrival of missionaries during the early to mid-1800s, surfing was banned along with other native Hawaiian rituals that were considered to be hedonistic. By the end of the century the sport was nearly nonexistent, later to be revived by Duke Kahanamoku and the other famous "Beach Boys of Waikiki".
