Abstract: Against the backdrop of China’s vigorous promotion of Chinese-style modernization and the innovative development of traditional ethnic sports, it is of great significance to examine successful cases of modernization in traditional sports from other countries. This study systematically reviews the modernization process of Hawaiian surfing in the United States and explores its implications for the modernization of traditional ethnic sports in China. The research findings indicate that: (1) The modernization of Hawaiian surfing evolved through the stages of ritual practice, transition from ritization to leisure, development of skills from leisure, and eventual inclusion in the Olympics; (2) Key experiences from the modernization of Hawaiian surfing include continuous lifestyle integration, adoption of a dual-track development path, establishment of a distinct sport identity, and formation of coordinated policy support. Finally, this paper proposes insights for the modernization of traditional ethnic sports in China, emphasizing lifestyle integration, dual-track development, clear positioning of sports, and improved policy coordination mechanisms.