Aloha From Duke's OceanFest

ALOHA TO YOU,
FROM DUKE'S OCEANFEST

WAIKIKI, HI - August 28, 2010 -- One hundred and twenty years after Duke Kahanamoku's birth, his favorite collection of ocean and beach sports have reached a new level of international popularity and participation. The 2010 Duke's OceanFest drew to a close here this-afternoon with a moving tribute and breath-taking ceremony, enjoyed by thousands from around the world. As the sun set into the Pacific, more than 500 feet of flower lei were draped on Duke's bronze statue. It was a scene you will only find in Hawaii, the home of Duke Kahanamoku and the birthplace of surfing.

OceanFest broke many records today, including entry numbers in the Duke's Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim and the Maui Jim Duke's Race - a 10-mile distance paddleboard race. There was intense competition in the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Surf Polo; the Corona Beach Volleyball; and the Hawaiian Airlines Legends Surf Classic.

ABOVE: Surf polo was a sport invented and enjoyed at Waikiki by the Kahanamoku brothers. The Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Surf Polo Tournament is one of the most exciting, competitive and intriguing events of the annual Duke's OceanFest. The Wahoo's Hawaiian Island team brought on an upset win this year, defeating defending North Shore team Paumalu.

All images by Bernie Baker.

ABOVE: The Duke's Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim drew a record 350 swimmers, ranging in age from nine to 77 years, and the entire University of Hawaii swim team. Twenty-three year-old Eric Nilsson (Honolulu) came in under 20 minutes with a winning time of 19 minutes, 50 seconds. Runner-up was Dan Worden (Honolulu - 19:55). The women's division was won by Kathryn Taylor, 24, (Kaneohe - 22:58). Full results at timelinehawaii.com.

ABOVE: Maui Jim Presented the 2010 Hawaii Paddleboard Championships, a.k.a "Duke's Race" and Maui's Connor Baxter, 15, took out a record field of 168 that included an unprecedented number of stand-up paddlers. Baxter finished the 10-mile race from Hawaii Kai in 1 hour, 26 minutes and five seconds. The first female across the line was traditional prone/knee paddler Kanesa Duncan Seraphin (Kauai) in 1:40:36. Complete results can be found at pseresults.com.

ABOVE: The Corona Beach Volleyball Championships, Presented by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts might be working on a format that gets them in the ocean next year! With flawless blue skies and plenty of famous Hawaiian sun, they needed to wear socks to endure the sand temperatures today. An extra hot win was claimed by Stein Metzger, Curt Vaughn, Dustin Chun and Flavia.

ABOVE: Jericho Poppler, women's inaugural international surfing champion in 1976, returned to the winner's dais today when she took first place (ahead of the men!) in the Corona Legends Surfing Expression Session. The Legends teams competition was won by the all-star Rainbow Drive Inn crew: Donald Takayama, Gilbert Kawamoto, Ivan Harada, Dino Miranda and Bonga Perkins.

Mahalo nui loa to the generosity and tireless work of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and its many valued volunteers and ambassadors. Mahalo to all of this year's passionate sponsors and event crew who contributed priceless resources and time to producing spectacular ocean sports events this week. A sincere mahalo to Pamai Tenn and his team for meticulous attention to cultural and spiritual detail that keeps the aloha and Duke's spirit alive and well at OceanFest. Mahalo to Sandy Hall for her wealth of knowledge that keeps us all on track; the accumulation of knowledge throughout the generations will keep Duke's spirit alive forever. Mahalo to the many special clubs, schools, academies and organizations that were dear to Duke's heart and continue to play a unique part in his story. Mahalo to the City & County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the media who recognize that Hawaii's magical blue ocean and saltwater lifeblood is what makes this place special. Mahalo to the Waikiki Beach Boys. From the smallest flower plucked for Duke's lei, to the mammoth staging and production efforts, you all gave so much.

Duke said it best:

"Aloha to You"

Jodi Wilmott/OceanPromotion
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Official 2010 Duke's OceanFest T-shirts!

Avaialable through Island Heritage's Duke's Surf Club

Our Official 2010 T-shirt Vendor

http://www.dukesurfclub.com/

Duke's OceanFest Corona Hawaii News Now Sunrise Promo

2010 Duke's OceanFest Calendar

Top athletes compete in a week-long series of events at the 9th Annual Duke’s OceanFest, Waikiki’s premier oceansports festival!

Schedule of Events August 22-28

Sunday, August 22

10am Ho'omana Opening Ceremony, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon

Tuesday, August 24

7am Sunrise Blessing, Duke's Statue, Waikiki, Honoring Duke's 120th Birthday
8:30pm Toes on the Nose/Gidget Kick-Off Party featuring Sashamon at Jimmy Buffet's

Wednesday, August 25 - 7:30am-5pm

7:30am Kicker Audio Presents: Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Classic
10am Gidget Pro Longboard
1pm Bear Financial Group Inc. Tandem Championships

Thursday, August 26 - 7:30am-5pm

Kicker Audio Presents: Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Classic
Gidget Pro Longboard
10am AccesSurf Challenged Athlete Surfing
12 noon C4 Waterman SUP Surf Race

Friday, August 27 - 7:30am-5pm

7:30am Hawaiian Airlines Duke's Legends Surf Classic
2:30pm C4 Waterman SUP Surf-Off
4-6pm Duke's Waikiki Beachboy Celebration - Duke's Restaurant, Waikiki
8pm Free Movie: Pacific Vibrations - Outrigger Reef Hotel, 7:30pm, limited seating

Saturday, August 28 - 7am-5pm

7am Corona Beach Volleyball Championships, Presented by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
7:30am Hawaiian Airlines Duke's Legends Surf Classic
Corona Surfing Expression Session
9am Duke's One Mile Swim (Entry Form)
9am Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Surf Polo Tournament
11am Maui Jim Presents: 2010 Hawaii Paddleboard Championships - Duke's Race
5pm Waikiki Lei Parade & Draping Ceremony - Duke's Statue, Waikiki
6pm The Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau, - Waikiki Aquarium. Tickets $60 available online
8pm Free Movie: The Ride - Outrigger Reef Hotel, autographs at 7:30pm, limited seating

(Events subject to change)

OceanFest Overview

WAIKIKI, HI - The 9th annual Duke's OceanFest, inspired by the iconic Duke Kahanamoku and his enduring ocean sports legacy, will commence a week-long celebration in Waikiki starting this Sunday, August 22, through Saturday, August 28.

The 2010 Duke's Oceanfest will be webcast live here at www.dukefoundation.org and televised live in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable digital channels 250 & 1250, August 25th through 28th. Oceanic will also rebroadcast the event in Hawaii at a later date

The festivities of OceanFest will include a cultural opening ceremony; birthday celebrations and lei draping at the Duke statue in honor of Duke's 120th birthday; ocean sports events; and many other cultural features. (Complete program of events can be found below.) In addition, Duke's OceanFest t-shirts and other items will be sold each day at the Island Heritage logo tent at Queen's Surf.

Revered worldwide as the "Father of International Surfing", and a three-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, Duke Kahanamoku (1890-1968) developed his incredible ocean sports skills in the very same arena where Duke's OceanFest takes place: Waikiki.

Duke's OceanFest proceeds go to the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation's (ODKF) college scholarships and athletic grants program that supports outstanding Hawaii scholar-athletes competing in water sports and volleyball.

An auction of a one-of-a-kind Duke Kahanamoku longboard by Maui Longboards (pictured above) as well as online and beach sales of commemorative 2010 Duke's OceanFest t-shirts will go towards the ODKF college program.

Outrigger Hotels Special ODKF Room Rates

Outrigger and OHANA invite you to celebrate the 9th Annual Duke's OceanFest August 22 - 28, 2010. Scheduled competitions for this ocean sports festival will be held at Waikiki Beach and include surfing, paddle boarding, beach volleyball, and more. Proceeds will support the Duke Kahanamoku Foundation which provides scholarships and grants to ocean athletes.
Click here for special room rates only available for a limited time!

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