Amped for With the debut of a new 37-cent stamp featuring the image of Duke Kahanamoku, the Olympic champion, Hollywood actor and Hawaiian folk hero will be honored with a three-day festival in Waikiki beginning today.
the stamp
3 days of thrills mark the debut
By Gary C. W. Chun
of Duke's U.S. postal tribute
gchun@starbulletin.comEvents will take place at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach hotel and the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
A highlight will be the draping of the Kahanamoku statue at 4 p.m. today. A procession will leave the Outrigger Waikiki at 3:45 p.m. today, heading toward Kuhio Beach for the ceremony. The Kahanamoku statue will be draped with 112 leis to mark his birthday.
Other events at the Outrigger Waikiki:
Today -- Hawaii Olympic swimmers display with photos of Kahanamoku continues through tomorrow. Also, "Memories of Duke" exhibit at the Hawaii International Surfing Museum in the Outrigger lobby will be open 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays through Nov. 15. There will also be 100 vintage big boards on view.
Saturday -- The Hawaii Philatelic Society will host a stamp and coin expo from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the hotel, with a concurrent display of historical Hawaiian and other stamps from around the world on the lobby level of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel. Guests who stay at the hotel will also receive a first-day canceled Duke stamp.
At Duke's Restaurant & Barefoot Bar, special commemorative T-shirts will be available. There will also be a drawing for a Duke classic surfboard.
The new Duke Kahanamoku stamp will be available for purchase from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the hotel, where the U.S. Postal Service will set up a temporary post office for the official "First Day of Issue."
Other Saturday events take place at the Hilton Hawaiian Village as follows:
>> 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. -- Stamps and first-day cancellations will be available at the hotel's Tropics Showroom. There will also be beach activities that will include water sport competitions and demonstrations.
>> 1:30 p.m. -- The Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hawai'i Loa arrives at Duke Kahanamoku Beach accompanied by a flotilla of approximately 112 surfers and canoes to honor the 112th anniversary of Duke's birth. As they come through the channel, pu (conch shell blowing) will announce their arrival. Pu on-shore will respond and acknowledge their arrival; with a callout four times (to the North, South, East, and West) signifying the gathering of all powers. On board the Hawai'i Loa will be dignitaries including Sen. Daniel Akaka, Robert Rider of the U.S. Postal Service, a representative of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and a member of the Kahanamoku family.
>> 1:45 p.m. -- Ceremony begins with the stamp's official unveiling at 2 p.m., with entertainment by the Kamehameha Schools Ensemble and other special guests.
>> 2:45 p.m. -- Formal ceremony ends. FDOI sale of the stamp and cancellation continues at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Tropics Café Showroom.
>> 3 to 5 p.m. -- The annual Waterman Challenge canoe race, tug-of-war competition, surfing contest, plus the Duke Ocean Mile swim.
>> 6 p.m. -- "Memories with the Duke," featuring a nostalgic recreation of the good ol' days at Duke's in Waikiki, takes place at the hotel's Lagoon Green. A classic luau will feature entertainment by Don Ho, Myrtle K. Hilo, Mahi Beamer, Melveen Leed, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Reign, Les Ceballos, Aaron Sala and Tihati DFS. Hosted by Kimo Kahoano and Cha Thompson. Tickets are $90 and available from Aloha Festivals at 589-1771. There will also be a "Na Mea Makamae" silent auction with treasures from Hawaiian artisans.
For more information, call the Duke Kahanamoku Foundation at 526-4888.
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