CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association are sponsoring events to celebrate the new Duke Kahanamoku stamp.
Kahanamoku stamp Surfers, swimmers, stamp collectors and other admirers of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku will gather in Waikiki this summer for activities celebrating the issuance of a U.S. postage stamp for Hawaii's greatest sportsman and "Ambassador of Aloha."
due Aug. 24
A canoe parade, luau and music are
What, where, when
on tap at the Hilton in WaikikiStar-Bulletin staff
Sporting events, a luau, a street festival and a water parade of 112 canoes and surfers are among the activities planned for the weekend of Aug. 24 on the beach near the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The canoe Hawai'i Loa will lead the water parade carrying the stamp on Aug. 24, the 112th anniversary of Kahanamoku's birth for the First Day of Issuance ceremonies.
"The purpose (of the stamp and ceremonies) is to celebrate the Duke and his legacy, to remind people of Hawaii, and especially the children, never to forget what he represented to the world," said Felice Broglio, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service in Hawaii.
Kahanamoku introduced surfing to much of the world, won six Olympic medals from 1920 through 1932, appeared in movies, was elected 13 times as sheriff of Honolulu, helped restart the sport of canoe racing and, following statehood, was appointed as Hawaii's Ambassador of Aloha.
Most of the activities are free and open to the public. Sales from the First Day of Issue cancellation stamp and a luau afterward will go to fund scholarships offered by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and the activities of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association.
Tickets are on sale for what is billed as the "Memories with the Duke" Classic Hawaiian Luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, which will feature a re-creation of the golden days at Duke's nightclub at the International Market Place.
Don Ho, Melveen Leed, Mahi Beamer, Nina Kealiiwahamana, Myrtle K. Hilo, Reign, Les Ceballos, Aaron Sala and Tihati Productions will perform at the luau, which will take place Aug. 24 after the stamp unveiling.
Tickets are $90 and can be reserved by calling Aloha Festivals at 589-1771.
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Aug. 17-18 Activities planned to celebrate
the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku
commemorative stamp:>> The vintage Ralph Edwards episode of "This Is Your Life, Duke Kahanamoku" will be shown at Sunset on the Beach in Waikiki.
Aug. 18
>> Duke Kahanamoku canoe race from Lanikai Beach to Fort DeRussy.
Aug. 20
>> Hawaii Olympic Swimmers Exhibit at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Hotel, including photos of Duke.
Aug. 20-25
>> The Vintage Big Board surfboard collection from the Golden Age of Surfing will be on display at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Hotel.
Aug. 23-24
>> The Hawaii Philatelic Society will host a stamp collection and display of historic Hawaiian and other stamps from around the world on the lobby level of the Outrigger Hotel on the Beach.
Aug. 23
>> The Ho'ohanohano Na Kanaka O Ke Kai (to honor the men of the sea) Old Timers Beach Boy celebration, a gathering of Duke's friends, at Duke's Restaurant in Waikiki. 4-6 p.m.
>> Lewers Street Festival, sponsored by Ohana Hotels. 6-10 p.m.Aug. 24
>> Stamps are on sale and cancellations are being done in the Tropics Showroom and at Outrigger Hotel on the Beach.
>> Water sport activities, competitions, and demonstrations off the Hilton Hawaiian Village. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
>> Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Commemorative Stamp unveiling at Hilton. 1:30-2:45 p.m.
>> "The Annual Watermen Challenge" (canoe races, tug-of-war competition and surfing contest) plus the Duke Ocean Mile swim. 3-5:30 p.m.
>> Memories with the Duke luau begins on the Lagoon Green at Hilton Hawaiian Village. 6 p.m.Aug. 31
>> Legends of History of Surfing, King Kalakaua Plaza.
