Tall, tanned and toned, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku was the king of ocean sports in Hawaii. Swimming, surfing, paddling — he excelled at them all and more, and had the awards (including five Olympic medals) to prove it. In 1976 the American Surfing Association dubbed him the "Father of Modern Surfing" posthumously.
The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation was established in 1986 to support the development of individuals and nonprofit organizations in Hawaii that "perpetuate the spirit and legacy" of Kahanamoku.
For example, it awards college scholarships each year to students who are seriously pursuing sports that Kahanamoku loved. It also provides grants for island athletes and teams competing in those sports locally, nationally and internationally.
The foundation is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its biggest fundraiser, Duke’s OceanFest, this year. More than 500 amateur and professional athletes ranging in age from 10 to 80 will compete in eight events, including swimming, surfing and stand-up paddling.
They include a delegation from Freshwater Beach in Sydney, where Kahanamoku introduced surfing to Australia in December 1914. (The Freshwater Beach community will launch its own annual celebration honoring Kahanamoku in January.)
"In the old days it was too cumbersome to travel with your surfboard," said Brent Imonen, coordinator of the OceanFest. "When Duke was in Freshwater Beach, he made a board out of pinewood and demonstrated surfing with it. That board is displayed at the Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club and is now worth about $150,000. It’s regarded as one of the most valuable surfing artifacts in the world."
The OceanFest is always held during the week of Kahanamoku’s birth. According to Imonen, the number of participants has grown every year, particularly for the Ocean Mile Swim. Some 300 swimmers are expected to vie for top honors in that race this year.
Visitors are welcome to compete in every event, which gives them the opportunity to connect with kamaaina and learn about Kahanamoku and Hawaiian history and culture. All events take place where the famed waterman used to hang out with other beachboys.
"You can go to Duke’s Waikiki for a drink or meal and see the wonderful historical photos of Duke and his friends," Imonen said. "You’re reminded that in many ways nothing has changed. The ocean is the constant, and Duke’s amazing legacy has never faded. The OceanFest honors a great man who exemplified the fun, casual, ocean-centric lifestyle that is Hawaii’s biggest draw."
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Sta-Advertiser have won many Society of American Travel Writers awards.
Memories of Duke
Excerpted from www.dukefoundation.org:
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku was born Aug. 24, 1890, in downtown Honolulu.
Almost 22 when he won his first Olympic gold medal, Duke represented the United States in the Olympics for the next 20 years. … He is remembered not just as a swimmer for his remarkable speed, but for his grace in the water, good humor and sportsmanship.
In Stockholm in 1912, Duke won his first Olympic gold medal and set a world record in the 100-meter freestyle and won a silver as a participant in the 200-meter relay. Duke won his second and third gold medals in 1920 during the Antwerp Olympics, again breaking his world record in the 100-meter freestyle and setting a world record on the freestyle relay team.
In the 1924 Paris Olympics, Duke won a silver medal for the 100-meter free-style. …
His achievements in swimming and surfing, along with his good looks and unaffected charm, brought him a nine-year career in Hollywood. He appeared in about 30 movies, and although some were minor roles, his career bridged the old silent movies and the "talkies."
Duke also did a two-year stint as a gas station operator between his Hollywood years and his 26 years (1934-1960) as sheriff for the City and County of Honolulu.
The world bid Duke aloha on Jan. 22, 1968. He was remembered in Congress and in national magazines and newspapers as a symbol of Hawaii.
Hall of Fame honors Hawaii watermen
The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation will unveil the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame tonight at a benefit event in its new home.
This year’s inductees: Peter Cole, Nainoa Thompson, Ethel Kukea and Aileen Soule.
The free hall of fame exhibit is open round the clock at the Grand Waikikian,
1811 Ala Moana Blvd., in a ground-floor space donated by Hilton Corp.
A dinner introducing this year’s inductees begins at
5 p.m. on the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Great Lawn. Entertainment will be by the Brothers Cazimero.
Tickets are $95 at the door. Call 457-0880 or email watermansawards@dukefoundation.org.
