Stamp to honor Kahanamoku
Associated Press
Legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku will join other American icons next year when his image is enshrined on a postage stamp, the U.S. Postal Service announced yesterday.
U.S. Postal Service via Associated Press
The stamp honoring the late Kahanamoku is tentatively scheduled to be released in Hawai'i on Aug. 24, 2002, the 112th anniversary of his birth, said Postal Service spokesman Don Smeraldi. It will be released nationwide the following day.
A new stamp will portray surfer and Olympic swimming gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku.
Kahanamoku's sister-in-law, Mary Ray Kahanamoku, said she was happy the stamp was finally coming to fruition after years of delay and rejection.
"I'm pleased that it's coming out," said Mary Ray, 85, who married the surfing legend's younger brother, Sergeant. "I think its about time."
The stamp features a youthful Kahanamoku in a dark tank top with arms crossed, standing in Waikiki before a backdrop of surfers and Diamond Head.
Kahanamoku competed in four Olympics, winning six medals for swimming. He died in 1968.
