Duke Kahanamoku - Honolulu, HI - Olympic Memorabilia on Waymarking.com

Duke Kahanamoku, who was named after the Duke of Edinburgh, was the first great Hawaiian swimmer. In 1911, swimming in the open sea but without any tidal advantage, he bettered the world 100y record by almost five seconds. Not surprisingly, this and some of his other marks, were viewed with skepticism by the AAU. However, after Duke had competed on the mainland and then in Europe, the world was left with no doubt that a genuine new swimming talent had arrived.

Kahanamoku easily qualified for the U.S. Olympic swimming team in 1912. At the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, he won a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle, and a silver medal with the second-place U.S. team in the men's 4×200-meter freestyle relay. During the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, he won gold medals both in the 100 meters (bettering fellow Hawaiian Pua Kealoha) and in the relay. He finished the 100 meters with a silver medal during the 1924 Olympics in Paris, with the gold going to Johnny Weissmuller and the bronze to Duke's brother, Samuel Kahanamoku. At age 34, this was Kahanamoku's last Olympic medal. He also was an alternate for the U.S. water polo team at the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Between Olympic competitions, and after retiring from the Olympics, Kahanamoku traveled internationally to give swimming exhibitions. It was during this period that he popularized the sport of surfing, previously known only in Hawaii, by incorporating surfing exhibitions into these visits as well.

Kahanamoku performed in Hollywood as a background actor and a character actor in several films. In this way, he made connections with people who could further publicize the sport of surfing. Kahanamoku was involved with the Los Angeles Athletic Club, acting as lifeguard and competing on both swimming and water polo teams.

The plaque reads:

"Duke Paoa Kahanamoku / August 24, 1890 – January 22, 1968 / Raised in Waikiki, Duke was a full-blooded Hawaiian, who symbolized Hawaii to millions of people. He developed into an Olympic champion and the world’s fastest swimmer. Between 1912 and 1932 he won three gold medals, two silver and a bronze in four Olympics. He is known as the “Father of International Surfing.” / Duke introduced surfing to the Eastern Seaboard of America, Europe and Australia. He became a hero when he saved eight lives from a capsized launch at Corona Del Mar, California in 1925 using his surfboard. A movie actor from 1925-1933, he was elected sheriff of Honolulu for thirteen consecutive terms from 1934-1960. He has been recognized as Hawaii’s Ambassador of Aloha since 1962. / He has honored his name, he has honored his race, he has honored his state, he has honored us all.”

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