Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 7, 1 July 1990 — Events announced to honor 'Duke' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Events announced to honor 'Duke'

A month-long series of sporting events honoring the beloved "father of modern surfing," Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, is being planned by the Waikiki Improvement Association, in recognition of the centennial of the birth of Hawaii's greatest world-famous athlete.

In tribute to "Duke," Gov. John Waihee has declared August "Duke Kahanamoku Month." A memorial statue will be dedicated and unveiled on Kalakaua Avenue at Kuhio Beach on Friday, August 24, the date of his birth in 1890.

Donald "Scotty" Eowman, vice-president of government affairs for the Waikiki Improvement Association said that water sports events and a fun run are planned to celebrate Kahanamoku's outstanding abilities as a swimmer, diver and water sportsman. The events are being coordinated by the Duke Kahanamoku Centennial Committee, comprised of groups presenting the sports events.

Bowman said among Kahanamoku's outstanding achievements as a wor)d-class athlete include his introduction of surfing to Australia. He was the first man to surf both the west and east coasts of the U.S.A., was a record-smashing 01ympic swimming ehampion. He was also a sheriff of Hawai'i and had a long and distinguished career as an "ambassador of goodwill," representing Hawai'i worldwide.

"People recognize him as a true sportsman and a gentleman," Bowman said. "He was a tremendous athlete and a humble sportsman who never took unfair advantage of others."

The events of "Duke Kahanamoku Month" will be launched July 28 with a "Duke Kahanamoku Centennial Ho'olaule'a" at the Queen Kapi'olani Park bandstand in Waikiki. Hawaiian food plate

lunches will be sold and free entertainment will take plaee from noon to 6:30 p.m. The poi supper is sponsored by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. NHLC executive director Mahealani Kamauu said NHLC is holding the event "to honor a very great man."

Sculptor Jan Fisher shows model of Duke Kahanamoku statue that will be dedicated at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki on Aug. 24, the centennial of Kahanamoku'sbirth. Fisherisan art instructor at BYU Hawaii and was selected among 21 loeal artists for his design that will be cast in bronze.