History
Duke Kahanamoku: The Unsung Talents of a Hawaiian Legend
01
Apr
Apr
Duke Kahanamoku is a name synonymous with surfing and Olympic glory, but there’s more to this Hawaiian icon than meets the eye.
Did you know Duke was an accomplished ukulele player who could strum a tune as effortlessly as he rode a wave?
Growing up in Waikiki, he honed this skill alongside his waterman talents, often serenading friends with the soulful sounds of Hawaii. His love for the ocean extended beyond surfing—he was a passionate sailor and canoeist, navigating the Pacific with the same grace he brought to his 16-foot Koa wood surfboard.
Perhaps most surprising? Duke was a soccer star in his youth, playing on the Kamehameha School’s championship team in 1908.
Later in life, he showcased his charm on the dance floor, mastering the foxtrot, rhumba, and even teaching the hula to England’s Queen Mother in 1966.
These lesser-known facets reveal a man whose aloha spirit touched every corner of his life—on land, sea, and beyond.
