Kahanamoku's name is also used by Duke's Canoe Club & Barefoot Bar, as of 2016[update] known as Duke's Waikiki, a beachfront bar and restaurant in the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Hotel. Being an Olympic athlete had a complicated side, as Duke Kahanamoku would learn. Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (August 24, 1890 January 22, 1968) was a Hawaiian competition swimmer who popularized the sport of surfing. In 2015, it launched its media division, Sidewinder Films, to inspire and educate audiences through films that highlight remarkable, untold stories of sports and life. Ultimately, a trust was set up to purchase a home for Kahanamoku, so he at least had a roof over his head. Duke: Ambassador of Aloha | American Masters - PBS In the final, he was so far ahead that at the halfway point that he was able to look back and survey the field. His most famous work as a sculptor is the statue of Duke, which sits on Waikiki Beach. Undaunted, Kahanamoku won again. This gave him a deep appreciation and understanding of Hawaiian culture, which he fought for throughout his entire life. He set numerous world records alongside winning five gold medals in the Olympics. The work paid off when Kahanmoku made the U.S. Olympic swim team less than a month after his arrival. Between Olympic competitions, and after retiring from the Olympics, Kahanamoku traveled internationally to give swimming exhibitions. Watermanreports thatThe Beachcomber, a film made soon after the 1912 Olympics, was a casualty of the situation. He appeared in over 24 Hollywood films. However, according to Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku, the Waikiki of the late 19th and early 20th centuries was nowhere near the hustle and bustle it witnesses today. Kahanamoku introduces surfing to the U.S. Atlantic coast. Duke Kahanamoku was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 24, 1890. He had five brothers, and three sisters. The inauguration of a Waikiki Beach bronze statue commemorating Duke Kahanamoku on the centennial of his birth. Kahanamoku smashes the world record in the 100-yard freestyle in Honolulu Harbor in the first AAU race in Hawaii. By then age 34, Kahanamoku won no more Olympic medals. In his youth, Kahanamoku preferred a traditional surf board, which he called his "papa nui", constructed after the fashion of ancient Hawaiian olo boards. With the 1916 games cancelled due to World War I, he had to remain an amateur for eight years until the 1920 Olympic Games. They were kahu, retainers and trusted advisors of the Kamehamehas, to whom they were related. Few were left to carry on with their lives, and fewer still were able to preserve all aspects of their culture and history. At the Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1912, he won the 100-metre freestyle event, and he repeated that triumph at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, where he also was a member of the victorious U.S. team in the 800-metre relay race. If they're in Honolulu, they can visit yet another statue of him at Kuhio Beach, says The Hawaiian Islands, not too far from his original home of Waikiki. Though, as The New York Times reports, he starred in over two dozen movies, he was often relegated to side roles. Won 2 more Gold Medals for swimming in the Antwerp Olympics 100-meter freestyle and U.S. freestyle relay team. Why couldn't that translate to the screen? Its an act of giving part of your soul to another and sharing that spirit. He said that as a Polynesian filmmaker, I was in a unique position culturally to tell this story. A Native Hawaiian, he was born to a minor noble family less than three years before the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. "Duke" was not a title or a nickname, but a given name. Kahanamoku also made headlines during his participation in the first Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) swimming event held in Hawaii, which took place in August 1911. Historically, the Hawaiian kings and nobles who surfed did so on wooden boards. Also known as: Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku. His Olympic career spanned 20 years. Doris Duke (November 22, 1912 - October 28, 1993) was an American billionaire tobacco heiress, philanthropist, art collector, horticulturalist, and socialite. Kahanamoku was involved with the Los Angeles Athletic Club, acting as a lifeguard and competing in both swimming and water polo teams. Kahanamoku grew up with his siblings and 31 Paoa cousins. Kahanamoku also excelled at surfing, and he became viewed as one of the icons of the sport. Birth City: New York. Duke Kahanamoku is a well known Surfer. Newports police chief at the time called Dukes efforts the most superhuman surfboard rescue act the world has ever seen. It also caused U.S. lifeguards to begin using surfboards in their water rescues. For Kahanamoku, who stood over 6 feet tall and was a powerful swimmer, managing this style of board wasn't much of a problem. Even later in life when his name and likeness were used to promote the Aloha Shirt, he saw few of the royalties the company collected. The result was dubbed Shangri La and it remains one of the world's most beautiful and. Because of a dispute, the final was ordered to be reswum. Just one year after that fateful race in Honolulu Harbor, Kahanamoku celebrated his twenty-second birthday by participating in a massive victory parade for the American Olympic team in New York, where he was showered with confetti and ticker tape. In the final, he was so far ahead that at the halfway point that he was able to look back and survey the field. Kahanamoku later acted in minor parts in 28 Hollywood films and played a major role in introducing the sport of surfing around the world. If it had been accepted as an official Olympic sport during his heyday at the games, he would have certainly won more than his already impressive total of five medals. On August 24, 2002, the 112th anniversary of Kahanamoku's birth, the U.S. In a career of many eclectic achievements, Kahanamoku is an alternate for the U.S. water polo team at the Los Angeles Olympic Games. The facility, located on the Universitys lower campus, includes a 50-meter training pool and a separate 25-yard competition and diving pool. Duke Kahanamoku is the official U.S. representative at the Melbourne Olympics. AAU officials refused to believe in Kahanamoku's accomplishment, first saying that something must be wrong with the timekeeping then arguing that he had been helped along by ocean currents. He matched his own world record in the semifinals and then broke it in the final. According to Britannica, Kahanamoku was born on Aug. 26, 1890, near what is now the ultra-popular tourist spot of Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. Though he died of a heart attack in 1968, Duke Kahanamoku's legacy remains strong today. In addition, the ceremony was led by Reverend Abraham Akaka. The Hawaii Democrat reported that he was a popular figure, easily winning reelection in 1936. Re-elected 13 times. All images of Duke Kahanamoku are used under permission from Malama Pono, Inc. 2020 Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation. The people of Hawaii rallied around Kahanmoku and raised the funds to allow him to travel to the mainland in February of 1912 to prove his swimming ability to the AAU authorities. Rather than ban the practice, missionaries instead simply took up a lot of the Native Hawaiians' time. All told, 12 people out of the 17 on board were rescued by surfers on the shore. Aloha is a word that was originally used as a greeting and gift. The club often competed against the Outrigger Canoe and Surfboard Club in sailing regattas and the events proved to be a great tourist attraction. After his athletic successes in the 1910s and 1920s, Duke Kahanamoku moved to California to begin his pursuit of a film career. The AAU found his race results so implausible that they disallowed the record-setting times and attributed them to factors unrelated to his skill, such as the currents in Honolulu Harbor and timekeeping errors. Kahanamoku became a friend and surfing companion of heiress Doris Duke. Duke Kahanamoku at the Summer Games in Antwerp, 1920. It was a disappointment for Kahanamoku, who had hoped to win starring roles instead of bit parts. Surprisingly, the couple didn't have any kids. Intermittently from the mid-1920s Kahanamoku was a motion-picture actor. Postal Service issued a first-class commemorative stamp with Duke's picture on it. But the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), in disbelief, would not recognize these feats until many years later. My personal goals for this documentary are pretty simple. The Kahanamoku family eventually grew to include six sons and three daughters. His book, Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku, looks to set the record straight on Duke as a major biography on the man's life. Kahanamoku was born on August 24, 1890, in Honolulu, Hawaii. [5]:9[8], In 1893, his family moved to Klia, Waikiki (near the present site of Hilton Hawaiian Village), to be closer to his mother's parents and family. Olympic Swimming Champion of '12 and '20 in Freestyle. That presented a real issue for Kahanamoku. Twenty-two years after his death, Duke Kahanamoku remains Hawaii's greatest athlete. [6] His paternal grandfather was Kahanamoku and his grandmother, Kapiolani Kaoeha (sometimes spelled Kahoea), a descendant of Alapainui. Professional Career | Duke Kahanamoku: Kahanamoku went universally to perform swimming presentations in the middle of Olympic rivalries and in the wake of resigning from the Olympics. Kahanamoku spent the next four years training for the 1916 Summer Olympics scheduled for July in Berlin, Germany. By the time 1917 rolled around, the young Duke Kahanamoku had already become an established "beach boy," swimming and surfing around the coasts of Hawaii. Cook's misadventure in Hawaii did not dissuade other explorers and missionaries from coming to the islands throughout the nineteenth century. It also led to lifeguards across the US to begin using surfboards as standard equipment for water rescues.[2]. Moreover, how was he going to keep bringing positive attention to Hawaii if he got into a financial scandal and lost his medals? He is named Surfer of the Century by Surfer Magazine. A large funeral is held in his honor at Waikiki Beach. Duke Kahanamoku, in full Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, (born August 26, 1890, near Waikiki, Hawaii [now in the United States]died January 22, 1968, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.), Hawaiian surfer and swimmer who won three Olympic gold medals for the United States and who for several years was considered the greatest freestyle swimmer in the world. Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (August 24, 1890 - January 22, 1968) was a Hawaiian competition swimmer who popularized the sport of surfing. Photographer: Paul Thompson.165-WW-38B-32 ( NAID 20802740) Born in Hawaii on August 24, 1890, Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was a five time Olympic medalist who won three gold medals for the United States after competing in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, the 1924 Olympics in Paris, and being an . establish Southern California a water-sports mecca. It was during this period that he popularized the sport of surfing, previously known only in Hawaii, by incorporating surfing exhibitions into his touring exhibitions as well. Ambassador of Aloha was more than Dukes official government job and title in Hawaii until his death. This discrimination dominated his film career, meaning that he never really got a coveted lead role, as earlier industry people had promised him. [11] The board that Kahanamoku built from a piece of pine from a local hardware store is retained by the Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club. He was already primed to become a legend of the sport and Hawaiian history, but a fateful wave cemented his status as surfer extraordinaire. Christian missionaries condemned many native traditionsincluding surfingas uncivilized, and attempted to ban such practices. He was well-liked throughout the Hollywood community. When his first-born son arrived, the elder Kahanamoku passed the name along. Major Support for American Masters provided by. He also earned a silver medal as a member of the U.S. freestyle team. Introduced surfing to the U.S. Atlantic Coast, Australia and New Zealand. [23] For his burial at sea, a long motorcade of mourners, accompanied by a 30-man police escort, traveled in procession across town to Waikiki Beach. Nowadays, this area is a highly popular tourist spot in the capital of Honolulu, with packed beaches and a crowded surf. Appointed Sheriff of Honolulu, Hawaii for the first time. Duke Kahanamoku biography and life timeline, How Native Hawaiian surfers used the ocean as sanctuary, This swimmer invented the freestyle stroke and set the stage for Duke Kahanamoku, Honoring one of the most famous Hawaiians in the world, Hawaiian words and cultural concepts everyone should know, 13 nearly forgotten Hollywood films that feature Duke Kahanamoku, 6 ways Duke Kahanamokus athleticism changed sports, Clip | Dukes incredible rescue mission while on a surfboard, Clip | How Duke broke the swimming world record in Hawaii, Clip | Overcoming the distinct challenge of indoor swimming, S36 Ep3: Waterman Duke: Ambassador of Aloha. Competing in the 100m freestyle, he equalled the world record in a qualifying heat. By that time, it was clear to everyone that Kahanamoku was as much a master swimmer as he was a celebrated surfer. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. He is a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. It is so important that Hawaii has the Aloha Spirit Law in the Hawaii State Statutes. The newspapers called him "the Bronze Duke of Waikiki," and his biography was subtitled Hawaii's Golden Man. bringing his natural glamour and physical presence to the screen. competed in water sports. Davis took a moment to talk with SURFER about his new book, what he discovered during his . After his successes at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, Kahanamoku's name started to gain worldwide recognition. The Duke that emerges is a reluctant royal, modestly excited by the extraordinary times through which he moves and presides. He was also an Olympic-level swimmer who broke records for his time and earned three gold medals and two silver, according to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum. The silent film, shot in southern California, starred Kahanamoku as an islander who saves a damsel from drowning. They also made time for the beach, whereKahanamoku and other "beach boys" spent hours swimming and surfing in the Pacific Ocean. The Kahanamoku family moves to Kalia, Waikiki. In 1920, according to the Olympic Games, he won gold in both events at the Antwerp Olympics, where he also handily defeated world records. A replica of Duke Kahanamokus surfboard is installed at New Brighton Beach, Christchurch, New Zealand to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his visit. [1] Her great wealth, luxurious lifestyle, and love life attracted significant press coverage, both during her life and . Kahanamoku stood six feet, one inch tall and is said to have had size 13 feet, which combined with the double-flutter kick he was taught since childhood, propelled him through the waves. Its also something bigger and more important than any one person. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Duke-Kahanamoku, Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame and Cybermuseum - Biography of Duke Kahanamoku, Olympic.org - The Father of Modern Surfing, Duke Kahanamoku - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). [6], He was born into a family of Native Hawaiians headed by Duke Halapu Kahanamoku and Julia Paakonia Lonokahikina Paoa. Antwerp Olympics: gold medals in 100-meter freestyle and 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, fourth place in water polo, Paris Olympics: silver medal in 100-meter freestyle, Lived in Los Angeles. His father was a policeman. His sisters were Bernice, Kapiolani and Maria.[7]. Duke Kahanamoku biography and life timeline - PBS Many of these visitors went on rides in the waves with Kahanamoku, either on his surfboard or on a somewhat more stable outrigger canoe. Silver Medalist in the Paris Olympics, 100-meter freestyle. Kahanamoku also wasn't above playing a game of golf with visitors on the first courses on Oahu. 1893 THE COMPETITOR Kahanamoku smashes the world record in the. He was born towards the end of the Kingdom of Hawaii, just before the overthrow, living into statehood as a United States citizen. The following is based on a discussion guide created by The Foundation for Global Sports Development. Hawaiian surfer, Olympic swimmer, and descendant of Hawaiian royalty who went on to act in several films including The Pony Express. A nearby restaurant is named for him and is close to Huntington Beach pier. The long course pool is four feet at both ends, seven feet in the middle, and an average depth of six feet. Biography Swimmer Duke Kahanamoku of Hawaii made his first Olympic appearance in 1912. Photo courtesy of the DeLaVega Family Collection.
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