News

Many people remember Duke Kahanamoku as a legendary surfer, but his ties to Hawaiʻi's sailing community also run deep. According to the Pearl Harbor Yacht Club, Duke became heavily involved with the club in the 1930s, helping to elevate Hawaiian ocean traditions through regattas and sailing events.

‍

Duke's relationship with the club began in 1930, when he participated in the Kamehameha Day Regatta — a celebration of Hawaiian water traditions. That same year, he was involved in the Transpacific Yacht Race, a testament to how widely respected he was across the sailing community.

‍

By 1935, the Club honored Duke with a lifetime membership in recognition of his many contributions. He went on to compete in Pacific Class and Herreshoff S Class sailboat races, proving that his mastery of the ocean extended well beyond swimming and surfing. In 1937, he claimed victories in Pacific Class races and continued competing in Herreshoff S Class boats.

‍

When the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 dramatically changed life in Hawaiʻi, Duke understood that the yacht club would never quite be the same. He channeled his energy into helping establish the Waikiki Yacht Club, supporting Hawaiʻi's boating community through the upheaval of World War II and the years that followed. Even at the age of 67, he was still racing at Keʻehi Lagoon and mentoring the next generation of Hawaiian sailors.

‍

Duke's dedication to sailing reflects his profound connection to Hawaiian culture and the ocean. Long after most would have left competitive racing behind, he was still at the helm — competing, mentoring, and keeping Hawaiian sailing traditions alive. His contributions to the Pearl Harbor Yacht Club, the Waikiki Yacht Club, and the regattas he championed remind us that his legacy is as much about the wind and the water as it is about the waves.