He's the most famous name in surfing -- an Olympic champion, Hollywood actor and Hawaiian folk hero. He's also remembered for his grace in the water, his good humor, and his sportsmanship. He is recognized as the "Hawaiian Ambassador of Aloha". During his lifetime, the Duke was a movie actor, political figure, and true hero. His statue is located on Waikiki Beach where many honor him by placing leis on his statue.

The "Duke", as Kahanamoku would be called, had been named not for Hawaiian royalty, but after his father who had been christened "Duke" following the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Hawaii in 1869. He was born on August 24, 1890 in Honolulu, in the same home (at King & Bishop Streets) where Duke senior had first made his appearance in 1869.

The junior Duke had chosen an interesting time to enter the world --- King David Kalakaua was not viewed favorably by many of his people, and certain segments, such as the Hawaiian sugar interests, sought drastic changes. The Hawaiian king's sudden death in January of 1891 proved to be the catalyst to change. Lili'uokalani, his sister, fell heir to the throne, but her reign was brief. By 1893 she had been forced to abdicate because of powerful commercial factions supported by the U.S. Navy. Sanford Dole, the pineapple king, became president of the islands' provisional government. On July 4, 1894 Hawaii became a Republic, presided over by President Dole. By July 7, 1898, when Duke was 8 years old, the American flag flew over the Hawaiian Islands. Two years later, on April 30, 1900, the Organic Act made young Duke an American citizen.

Throughout his youth, Duke strove to refine his water skills. Swimming, surfing and canoeing were his passion. When top Australian swimmers visited the islands in 1910, Duke inspected their every move. He would use what he had learned from them to perfect his swimming. Duke's aquatic skills improved to such an extent that those who saw him were astonished. Bill Rawlins, an island attorney from Yale tried to help Duke get the recognition he deserved. However, to obtain official sanction for any aquatic records, swimmers had to belong to a recognized club. So Duke and his friends organized their own club in 1911 and named it Hui Nalu (Club of the Waves).

Duke's astonishing swim times were sent to the Mainland, but they were so startling that officials refused to believe them. His supporters decided that the only thing they could do was raise money for Duke and another Hawaiian swimmer, Vincent Genoves, to travel to the Mainland to compete.

In March of 1912 Duke Kahanamoku and fellow Hawaiian Vincent Genoves were in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to compete for places on the American Olympic team. The Olympic swim trials were being held at various athletic clubs throughout the United States.