Duke Kahanamuku - A Hawaiian Hero

Duke Kahanamoku (born 1890) was a champion Olympic swimmer, the first person to be inducted into both the Surfing Hall of Fame and the Swimming Hall of Fame and “the father of modern surfing” — he was credited with bringing surfing to the mainland.

As one of the pioneering Waikiki Beach Boys, he taught Hawaii visitors how to surf and canoe at Waikiki Beach and became recognized as the “Hawaiian Ambassador of Aloha.” Duke’s Canoe Club, overlooking Waikiki Beach at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach hotel is a great place to grab a bite and view memorabilia of Duke and the Waikiki Beach Boys. There is also a popular bronze statue of Duke, often adorned with flower leis, on the beach across from the Hyatt Regency Waikiki.

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