Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation

Although the past year has provided many economic challenges, ODKF remains firmly committed to supporting the future of Hawaii through our youth and perpetuating the spirit of Duke Kahanamoku by encouraging his mission of Aloha. We are fortunate to have a committed Ohana to ensure our mission continues forward.

Duke's OceanFest made another big impact with it's weeklong festival of ocean events and participants came from around the world and our own ocean backyard. ODKF was proud of its role in providing opportunities for the community to gather and honor Duke and the ocean sports he so dearly loved.

We awarded our signiture scholarship, the Duke Kahanamoku Ambassador of Aloha Scholarship to a phenomenal candidate, Nanea Fujiyama of Kamehameha Schools on Oahu. She is a water polo player who entered Occidental College this fall and is a fine representitive of Duke's spirit of aloha and commitment to our community. We are proud to offer such a significant scholarship that is based on character, community service, athleticism and academics.  It is an excellent scholarship offered to all public and private schools on each island with applicants being nominated by their school.

Our annual grants and scholarships programs rewarded and exceptional group of recipients from public and private schools on all islands. The candidate pool continues to awe me with their excellence in sports and acedemics and strong commitment of service to the community.

The Dukes' Ocean Sports Days we sponsor for both the Boys and Girls Club and the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy continue to be great successes in introducing the blessings of the ocean and Duke's Creed to underpriviledged  youth in Hawaii, helping them grow personally and see there is hope for a better life.

A special mahalo goes to Gerry DeBenedetti for having her 70th birthday gifts be donations to ODKF.

The board would also like to thank outgoing board members Gretchen Duplanty, Fray Heath, Phil Sevier and Greg Wunderlich for their committments and efforts during their terms.

We would also like to welcome incoming board members Bob Hampton, William Philpotts, Bill Pratt and Stefan Reinke, and are excited to work with them in fruthering ODKF's mission.

Thank you again for continuing to support ODKF and Duke's Spirit of Aloha. None of what we have been able to accomplish would be possible without your continued support.

A heartfelt Mahalo to our donors, supporters and volunteers who make our mission possible!

Dr. Malia Kamisugi
2008-2009 President, ODKF