Hawaii is also the home of legendary waterman Duke Kahanamoku, a five-time Olympic swimming medalist widely considered Hawaii’s original ambassador of aloha, who helped spread surfing around the world. Kahanamoku graduated from McKinley High School, which honors his legacy with a photo portrait of him in its “Hall of Honor” in the school’s administration hall. But McKinley doesn’t have a surf team...House Bill 133 and its companion, Senate Bill 178, would provide as-yet unspecified funding to the state Department of Education to create high school surf teams and leagues across the islands.
The Hawaii Water Safety Coalition celebrates the release of the 2025 Hawaii Water Safety Plan.
The Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, located between the Waikiki Aquarium and Kaimana Beach, is the only Hawaii memorial dedicated to World War I and the 10,000 Hawaii citizens who served. It opened on Aug. 24, 1927, nine years after the war ended, on Duke Kahanamoku’s birthday. It is intended to be a living memorial. On the other side of the archway is a 100-meter-long by 40-meter-wide saltwater swimming pool, where Kahanamoku was the first to jump in on opening day. It’s a place where the community can gather and create memories.But after years of neglect, the deteriorating natatorium was closed. It was deemed unsafe, and it has been locked since 1979.
Two drowning prevention bills have been signed by the Hawaii governor, including a Duke Kahanamoku license plate bill to raise funds for water safety grants.
Watch the KHON2 News story about Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation's work with Hawaii Water Safety Coalition to lower Hawaii's drowning rates
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The Triple Crown of Surfing was started by two local surfers, Fred Hemmings and Randy Rarick. Now retired as the director of the Triple Crown, Randy has kept his passion for the sport alive.
The Hawaii Aquatics Safety Leadership Conference convened leaders from all over the state to address the drowning epidemic and form a statewide water safety coalition.
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is proud to announce that five-time Olympic medalist and “waterman” Duke Kahanamoku is the recipient of the 6th Annual AAU Gussie Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award.
Hawaii is home to the best watermen and women in the world. We don’t have to wait to follow the lead of other states in policy development around aquatic safety.
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Find out how you can support the Farrington High School Surf Team which is teaching water safety, swim skills, and surfing to athletes in Kalihi.
Waikiki Yacht Club Commodore Ron Gridley highlights Cappy Sheeley's induction into the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame.
Graphic designer Greg Chinn discusses his life, work, and connections to Hawaii and Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.
2022 Holiday Merchandise Fundraiser with designs by award-winning creator Greg Chinn
The Local Brand Co. Creative is back on board to develop some new designs for ODKF's holiday merchandise fundraiser.
In June 1986, Debbie Wayman received the first ODKF grant check from Ron Sorrell, chair of the ODKF Athletic Grants Committee, and Ben Cassiday, president of the ODKF. Debbie Wayman was the first female lifeguard on the North Shore of Oahu. She used her grant to participate in the U.S. Lifesaving Association National Championships in Galveston, Texas
The Maui News profiles 2021 Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame Inductee Mike Spalding.
This article recaps the 2021 Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame induction event.
Kona Brewing Hawaii is selling special edition stickers designed by Greg Chinn to benefit ODKF and Hoomaa Foundation.
Raising Cane's donated $5,000 to ODKF to kick of application season.
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2021 Duke's OceanFest - This one-hour special features some of the most influential surfers of Hawaii sharing personal stories of how they were inspired by the father of surfing: Duke Kahanamoku. Paul Strauch, Ann Yoshida, Billy Kemper, Kelia Moniz, and Keone Downing share never-heard-before original stories about Duke himself and their own surfing journeys.
Creative Director and Illustrator, Greg Chinn, was recently interviewed by Shoutout LA.
The Arnott Family legacy gift to the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation commemorates special bonds that spanned decades. There is a deep history between the Arnotts, Duke Kahanamoku, and the Outrigger Canoe Club.
Interview with our Executive Director and a Duke Award Scholarship Winner.
With fond remembrance, we honor Tim Guard, Board Member Emeritus to Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, who passed away in February 2020. He was an avid waterman who generously gave so that others may enjoy watersports.
Waterman Hall of Fame member Kai Lenny, featured in a MidWeek piece, discusses what it means to be amongst other legendary watermen and women.
The 13th annual Duke's Oceanfest opens, celebrating the great Duke Kahanamoku's life, accomplishments, and spirit. People from around the globe gather in Waikiki to watch and compete in various water sports.
The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation launches Hawaii's first Waterman Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women who have significantly contributed to various water sports and exemplify exceptional and admirable behavior.
Duke’s Night is a festive community event that brings together students, their friends, and families to recognize scholarship winners' accomplishments and encourage them to lead as Ambassadors of Aloha. Awardees from across the islands were invited to be celebrated publicly on stage. The top five candidates for the Duke Award were showcased individually, followed by a live, white envelope reveal of the top scholarship awardee.The program included a panel of Hawaii athletes who have excelled at the highest levels. This year's panel consisted of Mark Towill (Sailing), Wyatt Jones (Canoeing), and Shelley Oates-Wilding (Canoeing & Kayaking). They shared advice with our young leaders and the rest of the audience about competition and life.
