Duke Kahanamoku was more than just an Olympic gold medalist. He was also a skilled surfer, business owner, and Hollywood actor and won gold medals in swimming. This article will look at his life and how he accomplished so much.

A Brief History:

“The Big Kahuna” and “The Duke,” Kahanamoku are regarded as the originator of modern surfing. Duke had three sisters and five brothers. His mother was a devout woman, while his father worked as a police officer. He also served as the sheriff of Honolulu for many years. 

Duke’s swimming prowess first caught everyone’s attention, and he quickly began dominating tournaments to establish himself as the supreme Hawaiian waterman. Duke was close to the water at all times. He would go swimming, surfing, scuba diving, and exploring the island’s various underwater locations.

After completing elementary school, the young Kahanamoku enrolled in the Kamehameha Industrial School, but he never completed it because his family lacked money. To assist with the costs, Duke had to work. He hauled ice, sold newspapers, and polished shoes.

He broke the 100-yard freestyle world record by 4.6 seconds when he was 21, but the judges ruled that the race floats drifted and the measurement was wrong. Duke Kahanamoku penned a history of the Hawaiian flag in 1912. At the Olympic Games in Stockholm, he won the silver medal in the 4×200 relay and the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle.

The world of sports gained a new hero. He was also a skilled ukulele player. Duke began traveling the globe to instruct people in the skill of swimming with the “Kahanamoku Kick.”

But he would specifically alter one nation. Forever.

The athlete with a dark complexion stole the show at the first-ever surfing exhibition on December 23, 1914, at Freshwater Beach in Sydney, Australia.

Why Duke Kahanamoku Is Considered the “Father of Modern Surfing”:

Duke Kahanamoku is considered the “Father of Modern Surfing” because he popularized the sport of surfing and helped spread its popularity worldwide. 

In 1915, Kahanamoku traveled to California, where he rode waves for the first time outside of Hawaii. He quickly gained a following among the surfing community there. Kahanamoku also appeared in several Hollywood films, furthering his reputation as a top surfer. Duke also won two gold medals in 1920 and one silver medal at age 34 in 1924.

In 1925, he opened the first surf school in Waikiki, which helped to boost the popularity of surfing even further. Kahanamoku continued to surf and compete until he died in 1968. His legacy continues to this day, as surfing is now enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds around the globe.

Brilliant Surfer and Actor:

The amiable Duke also acted in Hollywood films; some of Duke’s famous movies are:

1- Noah Noa in “Adventure” (1925):

“Adventure” is Kahanomuku’s first movie role, a film unfortunately now lost.

2- Pirate Captain in “Old Ironsides” (1926):

The film was produced using a widescreen technique called “Magnascope,” according to Paramount. Throughout the movie, it was employed to intensify the visual effects by switching to “Magnascope.”

3- Hawaiian Boy in “Hula” (1927):

“Hula,” directed by Victor Fleming, features “It Girl” Clara Bow. Kahanamoku has appeared in a Fleming movie before this as well.

4- Ua Nake in “Wake of the Red Witch” (1948):

In the John Wayne film “Wake of the Red Witch” from 1948, Duke Kahanamoku played Ua Nuke. “Wake of the Red Witch” had its world premiere in 2018 as part of a program coordinated by Martin Scorsese as part of the Museum of Modern Art’s restoration of 30 films from Republic Pictures.

How Duke Kahanamoku Saved Many from The Ocean:

Duke Kahanamoku was not only a world-famous surfer but also a hero. He used his surfing skills to save people from drowning in the ocean.

One such incident occurred on June 14, 1925; Duke Kahanamoku saved eight men from Thelma and found the bodies of those who died. “Duke thought he could help when he saw others struggling and in pain. He accepted responsibility and dove into the ocean.”

Thanks to Duke Kahanamoku, many people have been saved from the ocean. He is truly a hero!

Duke Kahanamoku’s Legacy:

Today, Duke’s legacy continues through the Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship, held annually in Waikiki. The competition attracts some of the best surfers from around the world and is a testament to Duke’s impact on the sport of surfing.

To help Hawaii’s student-athletes that epitomize the Duke’s ethos, the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF) has contributed more than $3 million as of 2020.

Waikiki’s annual week-long celebration of this effort is called Duke’s Oceanfest. The festival’s activities pay tribute to Duke’s life and contributions to Hawaii’s international reputation and the surfing culture it fosters. At the Tokyo Olympics, surfing will make its Olympic debut, over 110 years after Duke first amazed onlookers. Duke, a five-time medallist, will not have lived to witness the competition, but he undoubtedly inspired it.

Duke’s Oceanfest:

Numerous lifestyle sports disciplines are available that honor Duke Kahanamoku’s legacy and the culture of Hawaii, including surfing, swimming, paddleboard racing, Menehune surfing, surfboard water polo, foil surfing, beach volleyball, and Hawaii’s only dog surfing competition, the annual Duke’s OceanFest Watersports Festival honors Duke Kahanamoku’s life, athletic contributions, and spirit. Additionally, there will be cultural, hula, film, and music performances throughout the weeklong festivities.

Together with the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, Duke’s OceanFest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to enhance the lives of Hawaii’s scholar-athletes.

Duke Kahanamoku’s Statue in Waikiki:

Duke Hawaii was a true ambassador of the sport of surfing and helped spread the Aloha Spirit to everyone he met.

You will be greeted with a statue of Duke Kahanamoku as soon as you come to Waikiki, which was erected in his honor in 1922. It stands on the beach where he once surfed and is a reminder of his legacy as the “Father of Modern Surfing.” Duke is one of the world’s greatest watermen.

He was a pioneer of the Waikiki Beach Boys, watermen who earned their living teaching visitors how to surf and canoe at Waikiki Beach; if you look, you can still find real Waikiki Beach Boys showing visitors a great time in the Waikiki surf today. 

Dukes on Sundays:

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort has an iconic restaurant where people can socialize, enjoy good food and drinks, sing to their hearts, or pretend to be a surfer. Duke’s Waikiki is the perfect place to eat, drink, dance, and celebrate Duke Kahanamoku on Sundays from 4 – 6 pm.

Enjoy delicious food like fresh poke and the most popular items, such as hula pie. Duke’s Waikiki also offers live music on the beachfront stage every Sunday, featuring Hawaii’s favorite artists, such as Ellsworth Simeona, Maunalua, and Kaala Boys.

Conclusion:

Duke Kahanamoku is one of the most iconic figures in Hawaiian history. His contributions to the sport of surfing and Hawaii are immeasurable. He was indeed a renaissance man, and his legacy continues today. If you’re ever in Hawaii, visit Duke’s monument on Waikiki Beach – it’s a fitting tribute to a fantastic man.