Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku. The most famous athlete in Hawaiian history revered for his swimming and surfing accomplishments. A recipient of Olympic gold medals for swimming, Duke Kahanamoku was also the first to be inducted to both the Swimming Hall of Fame and the Surfing Hall of Fame. "Duke", a name given to him by his father, "Duke" senior, when the elder was baptised the name by the visiting Duke of Edinburgh to Hawaii in 1869. Duke Jr. was the eldest of nine, who lived near Waikiki Beach, came from a somewhat influential family. Duke senior was a police officer and his mother was given 20 acres of land from King Kamahameha II, which is now the site of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
From a young age, Duke practically lived on the beach at Waikiki. A high school drop-out he made a living by becoming a "beachboy" on the beaches. He and his brothers use to amuse the visiting tourists with tandem rides.
Although Kahanamoku will always be honored as a Olympic Gold medalist, an extraordinary swimmer and influential surfer, he was also a movie star and Honolulu's honorary sheriff for over 25 years. Until his death, he served as Hawaii's "Good Will Ambassador".
Today would have been Duke's 119th birthday and more than 40 years after his death, the memories and spirit of the "Duke" lives on.
The 8th Annual "Duke’s OceanFest 2009", Waikiki’s premier ocean sports festival, showcases the greatness of Hawaii’s most famous beach resort. In 2007, The New York Times called Duke’s OceanFest “one of the largest beach and surfing festivals in the country.” This special week long event includes swimming, various surfing forms, stand-up paddle boarding, beach volleyball.
1 comment:
Awesome! I guess that pretty much explains "Dukes" restaurant in Malibu. Never put it together till now.
Wish I could have been at the surfing festival with you Rhoda.
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