Duke’s Oceanfest

The 9th annual Duke’s OceanFest, inspired by the iconic Duke Kahanamoku and his enduring ocean sports legacy, commenced yesterday and will be held all week in Waikiki through Saturday, August 28.

The opening festivities of OceanFest included a cultural opening ceremony and a birthday celebration and lei draping at the Duke statue in honor of Duke’s 120th birthday.  Throughout the week ocean sports events will be held along with many other cultural features. Hip Duke’s OceanFest t-shirts and other items will be sold each day at the Island Heritage logo tent at Queen’s surf  break [map].

Revered worldwide as the “Father of International Surfing”, and a three-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, Duke Kahanamoku (1890-1968) developed his incredible ocean sports skills in the very same arena where Duke’s OceanFest takes place: Waikiki.

If you are not in Waikiki this week, the 2010 Duke’s Oceanfest will be webcast live at www.dukefoundation.org and televised live in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable digital channels 250 & 1250 on August 25th through the 28th. Oceanic will also rebroadcast the event in Hawaii at a later date.

Duke’s OceanFest proceeds go to the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation’s (ODKF) college scholarships and athletic grants program that supports outstanding Hawaii scholar-athletes competing in water sports and volleyball.

An auction of a one-of-a-kind Duke Kahanamoku longboard by Maui Longboards as well as online and beach sales of commemorative 2010 Duke’s OceanFest t-shirts will go towards the ODKF college program.

Photo courtesy of the Duke Foundation