Aloha ODKF Supporters,

Thank you for taking time to review the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation’s (ODKF) annual report. Your support has allowed ODKF to advance its mission of assisting Hawaii’s student-athletes and nonprofit organizations, promoting water sports events, recognizing Hawaii’s waterman legacy, and, most importantly, honoring the memory of Duke Kahanamoku. ODKF contributed $150,000 to 68 scholarship and grant recipients over the past year. In the last several years ODKF has become crucial to funding the future of those who share our commitment to water sports in Hawaii.

ODKF’s success starts with you. Your support will assure ODKF’s continuing influence on the young kama‘aina of Hawaii. Our pool of scholarship and grant recipients represents a broad cross-section of the community. Applicants come from all islands and comprise a wide range of ethnic, cultural, and economic groups. They attend public, private and home schools and are a true representation of our state’s diversity. They also share a commonality in being focused, driven achievers who stand out amongst their peers by succeeding in the classroom and in their chosen sport (and often in multiple sports), and being leaders of their teams and classes. Importantly, despite the time commitments inherent in sports and schoolwork they are involved in their community.

ODKF’s emphasis is reaching scholar-athletes competing in “Duke sports” statewide who have demonstrated financial need and outstanding academic and community service achievements. We are able to do this because of the generous donors who believe in the value of our mission.

In addition to giving financial assistance, ODKF continues to promote and grow in two other areas: Duke’s OceanFest and the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame. Duke’s OceanFest occurs annually during the week of Duke’s birthday on August 24. A subsidiary of ODKF, the OceanFest Board works tirelessly in organizing Waikiki’s premier ocean sports event. We have strong evidence that Duke’s OceanFest is attracting local, national, and international attention and expect participation to increase in the coming years.

Also in August the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame inducted its second class of honorees: Peter Cole, Ethel Kukea, Aileen Soule, and Nainoa Thompson. ODKF organized a memorable dinner and awards ceremony on the Great Lawn at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. I was incredibly proud of the event’s quality and overwhelmingly positive feedback from the honorees and community members. The Waterman Hall of Fame Dinner is clearly destined to be a must-attend event for Hawaii’s water sports community.

ODKF is a progressive, proactive organization whose board members are dedicated to serving Hawaii’s water sports community. In the coming year the board and volunteers will continue to work towards growing the Foundation’s success. We appreciate all of your support.

Mahalo nui loa,

Stefan Reinke

2011-2012 Board President