Thelma Kalama

Thelma H. Kalama, born on March 24, 1931, in Honolulu, was a remarkable American swimmer and a trailblazer for women in sports. As the fifth sibling in a large family, she was raised by Abraham Ka'aumoana Kalama, a U.S. Naval veteran, and Helena Z. Kalama. Thelma's swimming journey began at the age of fifteen in 1946, where she quickly made her mark by winning the 50-meter freestyle at the Keo Nakama Meet with an impressive time of thirty-four point two seconds.

Her high school years at Kaimuki High School were marked by significant achievements, including a second-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle and a third-place finish in the 200-meter freestyle at the Keo Nakama Meet in August 1947. Thelma's dedication to the sport led her to set impressive prep records in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 220-yard freestyle in 1949, showcasing her versatility and talent.

Training under the esteemed Hall of Fame Coach Soichi Sakamoto at the Hawaii Swim Club, Thelma honed her skills and continued to excel. By June 1951, she had improved her 100-meter freestyle time to one minute and seven point five seconds at the annual Keo Nakama Swim Meet, further solidifying her status as a top competitor.

In 1948, Thelma achieved Olympic glory as a gold medalist in the freestyle relay at the London Olympics, becoming the second woman to represent Hawaii on the Olympic stage. After her marriage in 1960, she became known as Thelma Aiu, but her legacy as a pioneering swimmer and marine veteran remains an inspiration to many.