The Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame honors those men and women who have contributed an enormous amount of energy and passion to the ocean. Inductees compete in water and beach sports at the highest levels and have left their sports and their community in a better place than before. Like Duke Kahanamoku, they epitomize athletic excellence with grace and aloha, and they are the local role models for our growing keiki to look up to.
Four-time world champion canoe racer, Olympic paddler, and Pan American Games medalist. Awarded the prestigious Winged “O” by the Outrigger Canoe Club In 2004.
Kitesurfing and SUP pioneer with 24 windsurfing world championship titles and over 150 event victories. Owner of Naish International, manufacturer of windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP and foil equipment that is sold globally.
Eight-time SUP Surfing World Champion, VICE KSP Kiting World Champion, Molokai to Oahu Foil World Champion and World Record Holder, and Molokai to Oahu SUP World Champion. Lenny was awarded the 2019 Biggest Wave and Best Performance of the Year. He founded the Positively Kai Foundation in 2015.
Candidates should possess all these characteristics:
Keiki o ka `aina / Keiki o ke kai
Sustained outstanding contribution to the sport and the community
International, national AND local accomplishment and recognition
Ability and willingness to become an ambassador for the Foundation, attracting more waterman to perpetuating Duke’s legacy through scholarships and grants.
The Waterman Hall of Fame Committee, composed of past and present ODKF Board Members as well as past WHOF Inductees, meets throughout the spring to consider nominations. Induction classes are selected based on fulfillment of above characteristics, availability for an inductee to attend the WHOF event in person, a balance of unique qualities across the class of the same year, and sometimes with a special theme, such as the Olympics. Inductees are generally announced in late spring or early summer.
Please email info@dukefoundation.org for a nomination form. Nominations may be submitted year-round. All submissions will be in the consideration pool for a period of three years. There is no need to resubmit nominations during this time, though updates of current achievements are helpful.
In 2019, the Board of Directors initiated a new award to honor young Hawai’i athletes in the freshman, sophomore or junior year of high school, who are excelling at the highest levels in one or more of Duke’s Sports all the while representing their team, community and state as Ambassadors of Aloha. These rising competitors may well be our future champions and sports stars, and most importantly our future role models and stewards of the Aloha spirit. If you know a deserving young athlete, please email info@dukefoundation.org for a nomination form.
Hie Makamae Loui was named the 2019 Waterwoman to Watch. A freshman at Punahou School, Hie has been a leader and shining star in multiple Duke sports, including Canoe Paddling, Water Polo, Indoor Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. She also maintains a 4.0 GPA, was a 2018 and 2019 Damon Speech finalist and serves her community donating time to the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center and Wailupe Ohana Council. Hie is commended for the passion and aloha spirit she lives and breathes each and every day. She was awarded a $500 grant to use towards equipment, training and/or competition costs.