The Statue of Duke Kahanamoku, one of the most important figures in the history of surfing, literally welcomes people to Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. The landmark has become an icon of the area that embraces a Hawaiian legacy that can be seen and felt all across the world.
Commemorating the Father of International Surfing
Born in 1890 and raised in Waikiki on the island of Oahu, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku was instrumental in helping to spread the sport of surfing beyond the Hawaiian Islands. While surfing had been a part of Hawaiian culture for generations, it wasn’t until Duke embarked on a worldwide swimming exhibition that popularized surfing everywhere from the Eastern seaboard of America to Europe to Australia. In the process, he became known as the father of international surfing. A five-time Olympic medalist, he was also an actor, sheriff and served as Hawaii’s first ambassador of goodwill.
To honor his memory and legacy, a larger-than-life statue of Duke was installed on Waikiki Beach in 1990. Sculpted by Jan Gordon Fisher, the Statue of Duke Kahanamoku shows him in a welcoming pose along with the same type of large surfboard that he utilized in his lifetime. A marker on the piece mentions his accomplishments and how he has honored his name, his race and his state.
As a testament to how the sculpture is actively embraced by the community, the figure of Duke is often adorned with fresh leis. Traditional Hawaiian dances break out around the sculpture on a regular basis while tourists constantly take pictures of it and with it.
While it is just one of the many statues that represent the history of Oahu, the Statue of Duke Kahanamoku is unique in terms of the type of legacy that it celebrates, which means something distinct to both residents and to visitors. A key feature in maps and guides to the area, it has been able to create engagement with the very legacy of surfing that is unique to the Hawaiian Islands.
A Uniquely Hawaiian Legacy
Literally welcoming visitors to Waikiki with open arms, the Statue of Duke Kahanamoku is recognized as one of the most photographed landmarks in Hawaii. By representing a legacy that touches the hearts and minds of audiences across eras, it showcases the power that monuments have to enable connection and engagement.
