7TH ANNUAL DUKE’S OCEANFEST WAIKIKI WATER SPORTS CELEBRATION
Taking Place 17-24 August, 2008
HONOLULU – Celebrating a water sports tradition inspired by a Hawaii legend,
the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF) announced that the 7th
Annual Duke's OceanFest will be held at Waikiki Beach from 17-24 August,
2008.
Duke's OceanFest will feature a variety of fun and exciting water sports
competitions and events in paying tribute to Duke Kahanamoku, culminating
with the always popular Waikiki Lei Parade and decorating of Duke's Statue
on the 118th anniversary of his birthday, Sunday, 24 August.
The primary objectives of weeklong festival are to honor the legacy of Duke
Kahanamoku, provide a Waikiki water sports celebration for residents and
visitors to enjoy, and raise funds for ODKF's college scholarship and
athletic grants program. Last year, Duke's OceanFest generated more than
$30,000 for ODKF.
"Duke's OceanFest is the best week of the year to enjoy Waikiki Beach. It's
incredibly fun for residents and visitors alike and is all based on the long
and storied water sports tradition that Duke Kahanamoku and Hawaii's other
watermen established over the years," said ODKF President Patrick Dugan.
Events scheduled for Duke's OceanFest include the following:
Hawaiian Airlines Duke's Legends Surf
Classic
Sponsored teams comprised of four amateur surfers and a Hawaii surf legend
compete over several days in a competition run like a pro surf meet with
heats, judges, scoring, public address announcer, and exhibit booths.
Proceeds raised from the team sponsorships go to ODKF's scholarships and
grants program.
C4 Waterman Honolua Surf Stand-Up Beach Boy
The growing popularity of stand-up paddle surfing is showcased in this
Waikiki event.
Lanikai Canoe Club's 41st Annual Duke
Kahanamoku Classic
The opening event of Duke's OceanFest week, this 24-mile open ocean course
will challenge canoe teams to race from Kailua to Duke Kahanamoku Beach.
Tandem Surfing
Having two on the board is better than going solo in this entertaining,
acrobatic dance duet of surfing.
Roxy Jam Honolulu Pro Women's Surf
Waikiki's only women's longboard surf meet attracts competitors worldwide to
crown the queen of Waikiki.
Waikiki Beach Boys Legends Celebration at
Duke's Waikiki
Known as Ho'ohanohano Na Kanaka O Ke Kai (to honor the men of the sea), this
event is a poignant gathering of former beach boys and old friends of Duke
sharing fond memories of Waikiki.
Corona Extra Duke Classic Beach Volleyball
Tournament
Four-person teams – three men and one woman – take to the sand for this
daylong tournament at Kuhio Beach.
Hawaii Paddleboard Championship
"Duke's Race" starts at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai and finishes at Duke's
Statue in Waikiki and features some of Hawaii's best watermen and waterwomen.
The 2007 race had 125 competitors.
Duke's Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim
Just like Duke did, hundreds of swimmers gather in front of Duke's Waikiki
restaurant at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach for this one-mile open
ocean sprint.
Surf Polo Tournament
Six-person teams compete in this fast-paced, round-robin water polo
tournament that is played while sitting on surfboards – exactly how Duke and
his fellow watermen did decades ago. Held at Kapahulu Groin, last year's
teams included lifeguards from the City and County of Honolulu, Los Angeles
County and the University of Hawaii Wahine.
Waikiki Lei Parade and Draping of Duke's
Statue
This colorful Waikiki Beach tradition features the decorating of Duke's
Statue with bundles of fresh flower lei, all of which are carried on
surfboards as part of a sidewalk lei parade along Kalakaua Avenue.
The Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau
Featuring classic Hawaiian music and ono Hawaiian food, this is the ultimate
luau in celebration of Duke and Waikiki Beach. Proceeds go to ODKF's college
scholarships and athletic grants program.
Waterman Challenge
This exciting relay race is a team competition consisting of a 500-yard
swim, 1000-yard paddleboard race, and 2000-yard canoe race. Top lifeguard
teams from Hawaii and California along with teams from local canoe clubs
showcase the skills of being a waterman. The winning team receives the
Waterman Perpetual Trophy.
Major sponsors of Duke's OceanFest include Hawaii Tourism Authority,
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Hawaiian Airlines, Corona Extra, Roxy, Hilo
Hattie, Duke's Waikiki, Honolua Surf Company, C4 Waterman, and the City and
County of Honolulu.
Duke Kahanamoku is revered worldwide as the "Father of International
Surfing" and is Hawaii's greatest athlete, winning six Olympic medals –
including three swimming gold medals – from 1912 to 1932. He was the first
person inducted in both the International Swimming Hall of Fame (1965) and
International Surfing Hall of Fame (1966). The legendary waterman honed his
talent in the waters of Waikiki Beach and brought worldwide attention to the
islands with his incredible swimming and surfing exploits and charismatic
warmth as Hawaii's "Ambassador of Aloha."
ODKF awarded $145,000 in college scholarships and athletic grants in 2007,
its largest total ever and a 50 percent increase over the year prior. The
foundation plans to increase its scholarships and grants total to more than
$200,000 in 2008.
ODKF is a public nonprofit foundation created with the mission to
financially support the development of individuals and organizations
perpetuating the spirit and legacy of Duke Kahanamoku.
For more information, visit
www.dukefoundation.org