Event celebrates Duke's legacy
By Kalani Wilhelm
Advertiser Staff Writer
The legacy of surfing great Duke Kahanamoku will be celebrated with a weekend of fun later this month at his favorite playground — Waikiki Beach.
The second annual Duke's Ho'olaule'a will take place Aug. 22 to 24, marking the anniversary of Kahanamoku's 113th birthday.
Duke Kahanamoku
He died in 1968 at age 77.
The three-day tribute will include a Beach Boy Celebration on Aug. 22, lei making, historical walks, surfboard water polo on Aug. 23 and an ocean swim and Waterman Challenge on Aug. 24.
The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation established the event last year in conjunction with the dedication of the Duke postage stamp.
"We are hoping to perpetuate the spirit of Duke," said organization president Jim Fulton."We clearly heard the love for him from the community last year."
New to this year's festivities will be a special exhibit of the Hawai'i International Surfing Museum that will showcase Duke's five Olympic medals and other memorabilia near his statue on Kuhio Beach on Aug. 24.
That day will kick off with a Brunch at the Beach on Kalakaua Avenue presented by the City and County of Honolulu.
"Duke was Hawai'i's ambassador to the world," said Fulton. "A part of the reason we do this is because we want to educate the next generation of keiki about Duke's legacy."
Proceeds from the sale of memorabilia and T-shirts and contest entry fees help provide scholarships for high-school seniors and local college athletes competing on the Mainland.
The foundation has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarships and grants in the past six years.
