Popularized by O'ahu surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku and perpetuated by renowned surf and pop culture icons, such as Kelly Slater and Andy and Bruce Irons, the sport of surfing is a time-honored sport that originated from the ancient Hawaiians, who considered surfing a symbol of social status and power.
Royalty used surfing as a means of maintaining their strength, liveliness and authority over their people. Only the elite class was allowed to use certain materials and wood for their boards resulting in a superior quality board, which separated the royalty from the commoners.
As time progressed, in the late 1800s, surfing would have been extinct had it not been for the interest of a young teenager by the name of Duke Kahanamoku. An Olympic swimming champion, Hollywood actor, Hawaiian folk hero, and pioneer of modern surfing, Duke Kahanamoku and his friends kept the sport alive and promoted surfing and aloha worldwide as Hawaii's "Ambassador of Aloha." Kahanamoku, or "the Duke" as he was popularly known, was immortalized in his formation of the Hui Nalu or "The Club of Waves," which still exists today.
Each year the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku is celebrated at Duke's OceanFest on Waikiki Beach. The week long festival, held this year from August 17-24, 2008, features a variety of exciting water sports competitions, including men's, women's and keiki (children) surf contests, one mile swim, stand-up surf contest, Hawaii Paddleboard Championship, and other events that pay tribute to the local waterman. The festivities culminate with the always-popular Waikiki Lei Parade and decorating of Duke's Statue on August 24, the 118th anniversary of his birthday.
Duke's OceanFest is also a major fundraiser for the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation's (ODKF) college scholarship and athletic grants program.
For more information, call (808) 545-4880.
