Duke Kahanamoku Honored at 2009 Duke’s Oceanfest
When: August 22-29, 2009
Where: Waikiki Beach
This week long series of ocean sports events has fun for everyone and all proceeds go to support the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation which provides college scholarships and athletic grants to outstanding Hawaii scholar-athletes.
Duke Kahanamoku is Hawaii’s most famous athlete, having won many Olympic medals and set world records from 1912 to 1933. He also served as Sheriff of Honolulu, starred in Hollywood movies, and was known as Hawaii’s “Ambassador of Aloha.”
Duke’s Oceanfest Events
- August 23 – Ho‘omana Ceremony –Traditional Hawaiian ceremony at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon at the Hilton Hawaiian Villages Beach Resort & Spa.
- August 24 – Duke Kahanamoku Sunrise Blessing honoring his 119th birthday. Blessing at Duke’s Waikiki statue.
- August 26-29 – Four days of ocean sports competitions, including:
- Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s Legends Surf Classic
- Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Pro Longboard Classic
- Gidget Open Pro: Women’s Longboard
- Noseriding Invitational
- Tandem World Title
- Hawaii Paddleboard Championship – “Duke’s Race,” paddle board sprint from Hawaii Kai to Duke’s Statue
- Waterman Stand-Up Beach Boy Paddle Surfing
- Duke’s Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim
- Surf Polo Tournament – Six-person teams play water polo on surfboards!
- Challenged Athlete Surfing – surfing for the physically challenged.
- Waterman Challenge –Swimming, stand-up paddle boarding and canoe paddling.
- Beach Volleyball Classic – Four-person teams compete on Kuhio Beach – This is a US Open of Beach Volleyball (Men’s Open Division) Qualifying Event
- Beach Boys Celebration at Duke’s Waikiki – Gathering of Duke’s friends to talk story at Duke’s Waikiki.
On August 29 Duke’s Statue is draped with flower lei following a sidewalk surfboard parade. The last event is the Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau. For tickets call (808) 545-4880.