Duke Kahanamoku

American swimmer, surfer and actor (1890-1968)

Duke Kahanamoku was a pioneering Hawaiian swimmer who won multiple Olympic medals and helped popularize the sport of surfing. He was also involved in various other activities, including law enforcement, acting, and business.

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About the Duke Kahanamoku

Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamokuwas a Hawaiian competition swimmer who popularized the sport of surfing. A Native Hawaiian, he was born three years before the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. He lived to see the territory’s admission as a state and became a United States citizen. He was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming, winning medals in 1912, 1920 and 1924.

Kahanamoku joined fraternal organizations: he was a Scottish Rite Freemason in the Honolulu lodge, and a Shriner. He worked as a law enforcement officer, an actor, a beach volleyball player, and a businessman.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duke Kahanamoku was a Hawaiian competition swimmer who popularized the sport of surfing. He was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming, winning medals in 1912, 1920, and 1924.

Duke Kahanamoku was a Native Hawaiian born to a minor noble family less than three years before the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. He lived to see the territory’s admission as a state and became a United States citizen.

Duke Kahanamoku was a member of fraternal organizations, including the Scottish Rite Freemasons in the Honolulu lodge and the Shriners.

In addition to his swimming and surfing career, Duke Kahanamoku worked as a law enforcement officer, an actor, a beach volleyball player, and a businessman.

Duke Kahanamoku was born on August 24, 1890, in Hawaii, less than three years before the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Duke Kahanamoku was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming, winning medals in 1912, 1920, and 1924.

Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was Duke Kahanamoku’s full name.