The Duke Statue

Standing tall and spreading the Aloha Spirit at Waikiki Beach is the "The Duke Statue." Famous for being an Olympic swimmer, Duke Kahanamoku is widely regarded as the first international ambassador of surfing, almost everyone who walks Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki stops to take a picture with "The Duke Statue."

If you're going to take a surf lesson in Waikiki, rub Duke's right foot for good luck!

Just next to the statue is Duke's Waikiki, a restaurant dedicated to his legacy and has the best view in Waikiki to watch surfers!

History

After dedication on August 24, 1990, The Duke Statue instantly became a landmark and an icon in Waikiki. Duke Kahanamoku introduced surfing to the world, and was the greatest swimmer his time. Winning gold and silver medals, he competed in 4 different Olympic games. He was even breaking records as an amatuer before qualifying for his first Olympcs in 1912.

His achievements and influence on surfing are memorialized with his statue, and he is one of the most celebrated figures in Hawaiian history.

• Location: The Duke Statue is in Kuhio Beach Park, just off of Kalakaua Avenue in the heart of Waikiki.
• Amenities: Restrooms and showers at the beach park, the surrounding area of Waikiki has almost every amenity.
• Insider Tip: Tell your friends back home to visit the Duke Kahanamoku Statue webcam (http://bit.ly/duke-statue-webcam) and look for you online while take your picture in front of it!
• Fun Fact: There is a statue of Duke Kahanamoku in Huntington Beach, California, which is known as "Surf City U.S.A" and also one in Sydney, Australia where he introduced surfing down under.
• What To Expect: Taking your picture is a popular thing to do so you may have to wait a couple of minutes, but at least there will be other people to take a picture of everyone in your group.
• Pop Culture: Duke Kahanamoku was the first person inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame.