Chris Woo, the last in a long line of Olympic swimmers from Hawai'i, headlines the latest list of inductees into the Hawai'i Swimming Hall of Fame.

A total of 18 people were elected by the Hall's advisory board and will be honored at an induction banquet Nov. 5 at the Hale Koa Hotel's DeRussy Hall.

Woo, a Punahou School graduate, was 18 when he represented the United States in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

Joining Woo in this year's Hall of Fame class are swimmers Robin Backhaus, Mitzi Higuchi and Ken Nakasone; water polo standouts Chris Duplanty, John Nielsen, Susan Nishioka and Shari Baird-Smart; masters swimmers Steve Borowski, Bruce Clark, Ernie Leskowitz and Joe Lileikis; channel swimmers Carl Kawauchi and Robin Isayama Liszewski; ocean swimmers Kaili Chun and John Flanagan; coach Edward Kawachika and contributor Jim Anderson.

This year's class brings the total number of inductees to 80. The inaugural class — which included legends Duke Kahanamoku, Keo Nakama and Soichi "Coach" Sakamoto — was inducted in 2002.

The Hall of Fame is operated under the Hawai'i Swimming Legacy Project, which was formed about five years ago in an effort to preserve the rich aquatic tradition here.

The Hall of Fame's ultimate goal is to find a permanent home where exhibits can be on display at all times.

Presently, the hall's "museum" is a traveling display with panels picturing and telling the stories of the honorees. It has been exhibited at libraries, schools, hotels, swimming pools, Honolulu Hale, shopping malls and community events.

For more information about the induction banquet, call Hall president Sonny Tanabe at 735-1088.

Woo heads Hawai'i Hall of Fame class