The fourth annual Duke's Ho'olaule'a begins Wednesday, the 115th anniversary of Duke Kahanamoku's birthday. Festivities will continue through Aug. 28.

The celebration includes surf meets, a surf polo tournament, an ocean swim and waterman challenge. Athletic events will be sandwiched by historical displays, Sunset on the Beach (Aug. 27 and 28) and a Duke-themed Brunch on the Beach on Aug. 28.

Aaron Peirsol will participate. Peirsol won three gold medals at the last Olympics. He is the world-record holder in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke and won those events at last month's World Championships.

Peirsol will lead a keiki swim clinic Aug. 25 and compete in the Hawaiian Airlines Duke's Legends Surf Classic (Aug. 26 and 27) and Duke's Ocean Mile Swim (Aug. 27).

"Duke Kahanamoku is an inspiration to all swimmers and surfers," Peirsol said, "and I can't wait to be in Hawai'i to share in the celebration of his legacy and help perpetuate the enjoyment and benefits of water sports."

A new hour-long documentary about Kahanamoku will debut on KGMB-9 on Wednesday, with an encore presentation Aug. 28. It also will be shown at Sunset on the Beach.

Duke's Ho'olaule'a is presented by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation. Proceeds will go to the ODKF college scholarship and community grants program.

Kahanamoku, known as the Father of International Surfing, won three gold and two silver medals in the Olympics, starting in 1912. He was the first to be inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame (1965) and Surfing Hall of Fame (1966).

TENTATIVE DUKE'S HO'OLAULE'A SCHEDULE

Aug. 16-30: Duke Kahanamoku photo display at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, Cedar Street Gallery.

Sunday: Lanikai Canoe Club's 38th annual Duke Kahanamoku Classic, 24-mile open ocean race.

Wednesday: Birthday greeting at Duke's Statue (8 a.m.); Converse Hawaiian Open longboard preliminaries on Waikiki Beach (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Duke Kahanamoku: Hawai'i's Soul, documentary on KGMB-9 (7 p.m.).

Thursday: Keiki Swim Splash & Autograph Session, with Olympic gold medalist Aaron Peirsol (10 a.m.) at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. For information, call 921-9731; Converse Hawaiian Open longboard preliminaries (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Aug. 26: Converse Hawaiian Open semifinals (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Hawaiian Airlines Duke's Legends Surf Classic preliminaries (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.), five-person teams compete; Waikiki Beach Boys Legends Celebration at Duke's Waikiki (3 to 5 p.m.).

Aug. 27: Converse Hawaiian Open finals (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Hawaiian Airlines Duke's Legends Surf Classic finals (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Duke's Ocean Mile Swim at Duke's Waikiki (8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. swim); Bud Light Surf Polo Tournament at Kapahulu Groin (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); Bishop Museum's Duke's Historical Display and Lei Making at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.); Waikiki Community Lei Making to decorate Kahanamoku's statue, at Sheraton Moana Surfrider (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); Lei Draping (5 p.m.); Sunset on the Beach (7:30 p.m.).

Aug. 28: Brunch on the Beach (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.); Bishop Museum's Duke's Historical Display at Hyatt Regency Waikiki (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.); Waterman Challenge at Waikiki Beach (10 a.m.); Sunset on the Beach (7:30 p.m.).