TheViewPoint.org

Although many famous people have blessed the islands of Hawaii with their presence, perhaps one of the most beloved people of Hawaii is Duke Kahanmoku. Born on August 24, 1980, Duke was named after his father, Halapu Kahanamoku, who was christened “Duke” by Bernice Pauahi Bishop in honor or Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, who was visiting the islands during the time of Duke’s father’s birth in 1869. Duke grew up on the outskirts of Waikiki and became a beach boy, as many people still remember him as.

Spending a great deal of his time at Waikiki Beach, Duke developed excellent surfing and swimming skills.

Today, Duke is remembered as the man who popularized the modern sport of surfing and an Olympic champion in swimming.

During his swimming career, Duke won numerous swimming awards and broke a handful of records. He won a gold medal in the 100 meter freestyle in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm,

He also won two gold medals at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp. Duke was also on the US Water Polo team during the 1932 Summer Olympics. For some time, Duke also lived in California.

One of the most notable experiences during his life there was when he rescued eight men from a fishing vessel that capsized due to heavy surf. Duke was also the first man to be inducted into both the Swimming Hall of Fame and the Surfing Hall of Fame, and he is also a member of the US Olympic Hall of Fame. The Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championships are also named in his honor. Since his death in 1968, Duke Kahanamoku has become a major icon of Hawaii, with a stature of him standing at the front of Waikiki Beach, always covered by leis left by many of his fans.