Duke Kahanamoku

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, The Cardinal will feature prominent and historical Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders, living or dead, who have worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes, who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

Kim Nhi Truong, Staff Writer

May 8, 2026

Duke Kahanamoku is a Native Hawaiian, and was born three years before the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. He was also one of the greatest athletes in America. He was born on August 24, 1890. However, he sadly passed away on January 22, 1968 from a heart attack when he collapsed at the Waikiki Yacht Club in Honolulu.

Duke was one of the greatest athletes in swimming and surfing. He introduced the world of his sport and the Hawaiian way of life to feel like they’re being in the world that’s still alive and connected. Duke grew up on the outskirts of Waikiki where he was a member of Kamehameha School’s champion soccer team but later he developed surfing and swimming skills.

Duke won two Olympic medals in Stockholm; gold in the 100 meter freestyle and a silver medal with the U.S freestyle relay team. Moreover, he was an impact in society by being known as “Father of modern surfing” that influenced and inspired many people to try to get into surfing. The sport slowly became popular over the years. He broke five records as an Olympic swimming medalist who also broke racial barriers.

Not only that, in 1925, he used his surfboard to rescue eight people from a shipwreck off Newport Beach, California. This influenced the surfboard life saving which influenced the modern lifeguard techniques. He also promoted ocean safety through the early surfboard rescues. Duke is one of the people who has a warm welcoming spirit and made sure everyone was safe and comfortable.

Moreover, Duke was the reason the sport became popular over the years. Nonetheless, he used his celebrity status to promote Hawaii tourism to share parts of his culture to spread towards the world.

About the Contributor

Kim Nhi Truong, Staff Writer

Kim is a junior at Hoover High School and in the AHHC Academy. Her favorite sport is archery and has been doing this since freshman year. She went to Utah for the NASP Archery National and won with her team. Her favorite season is winter and fall. She loves the movie White Chicks since it’s the best humorous movie she has ever watched. She also loves horror movies and horror games and she’s an ambivert person but once you get to know her fully, she’s very friendly. Moreover, she loves to make new friends and make people feel welcomed. She loves to explore different places. She loves to try new recipes for baking and cooking. This year, she hopes she can spend her high school years carefully since her years are almost up, and then it’s senior year and then into her young adulthood. She wants her high school year to be fun before situations become serious and more responsible. She hopes she can pursue her dream job as a veterinarian or a nurse. Kim is the type to always understand and try to help out as she can. She’s the type of person that loves to hang out with friends and family to go to places such as the mall, park, restaurant, beach, and the arcade. She loves to record or take pictures where she travels or going to places. Her favorite type of animals is a British short hair cat and dachshund dog that is a mix.