Duke’s OceanFest will feature a wide array of fun and exciting water sports competitions and events in tribute to Duke Kahanamoku. The weeklong celebration will culminate with the popular Waikiki Lei Parade and Draping of Duke’s Statue on the 118th anniversary of his birthday, Sunday, August 24.

The festival’s objectives are to honor Duke Kahanamoku’s legacy, provide a Waikiki water sports celebration for residents and visitors to enjoy, and raise funds for ODKF’s college scholarship and athletic grants program. Last year, Duke’s OceanFest generated more than $30,000 in funding support for ODKF.

“Duke’s OceanFest is the best week of the year to enjoy Waikiki Beach. It’s incredibly fun for residents and visitors alike and is all based on the long and storied water sports tradition that Duke Kahanamoku and Hawaii’s watermen established through the years,” said ODKF President Patrick Dugan.

"The Duke's OceanFest has become an end-of-summer tradition with a myriad of activities spread over an entire week," said Barry Wallace, Executive Vice President-Hospitality Services for Outrigger Enterprises Group. "Surfing and swimming competitions, canoe races, beach volleyball, a moving lei-draping ceremony that was introduced by the Outrigger Waikiki 'ohana, and a special Duke-themed Sunset on the Beach all come together to make for a great multi-day event for everyone to enjoy."

Duke Kahanamoku is revered as the “Father of International Surfing” and Hawaii’s greatest athlete, winning six Olympic medals – including three swimming gold medals – from 1912 to 1932. He was the first person inducted into both the International Swimming Hall of Fame (1965) and International Surfing Hall of Fame (1966).

Duke honed his legendary waterman skills off Waikiki Beach and brought worldwide attention to the islands with his incredible exploits and charismatic warmth as Hawaii’s “Ambassador of Aloha.”

The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF) is a public nonprofit foundation created with the mission to financially support the development of individuals and organizations perpetuating the spirit and legacy of Duke Kahanamoku. The goals of Duke’s OceanFest are to raise funds for ODKF’s college scholarship and athletic grants program, and pay respect to the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku with a celebration of surfing and ocean sports. ODKF is awarding $204,000 in college scholarships and athletic grants in 2008, its largest total ever and a 40 percent increase over last year. ODKF is providing funding support to more than 100 Hawaii athletes and nonprofit organizations competing in “Duke sports” – water sports and volleyball.

For more information about Duke’s Foundation, visit the ODKF website at www.dukefoundation.org or call (808) 545-4880.

Events of Duke’s OceanFest include the following:

Duke’s OceanFest Blessing at Duke Kahanamoku Statue (Aug. 17, 7am) – A week of honoring Duke Kahanamoku begins with an early morning Hawaiian blessing.

Lanikai Canoe Club’s 41st Annual Duke Kahanamoku Classic (Aug. 17, 9am) – Canoe teams from throughout the state race a 24-mile course from Kailua to Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki.

Rabbit Kekai Keiki Surf Contest (Aug. 17, 8am-4pm) – The famed Waikiki beach boy legend sponsors a surf competition for 250 keiki statewide at Queen’s Surf.

Opening Ceremony at the Hilton Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon (Aug. 17, noon) – Sponsored by National Geographic Adventure, this event kicks off the weeklong celebration of Duke’s OceanFest.

Splash and Dash at the Hilton Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon (Aug. 17) – This new event is a fun-filled competition between community swim clubs in all age groups.

Macy’s E-Series Surf Contest (Aug. 18, 7:30am-3:30pm) – The Hawaii Amateur Surf Association will hold a competition for local amateurs at Queen’s Surf.

C4 Waterman/Honolua Surf Stand-Up Beach Boy (Aug. 19, 7:30am-4:30pm) – The excitement and skill of stand-up paddle surfing is showcased in this competition at Queen’s Surf.

Surftech Media All-Stars (Aug. 19, 1:50pm) – Surfing members of the local media are teamed up with a Roxy pro in a fun competition fronting Duke’s Statue.

Roxy Jam Honolulu Autograph Session (Aug. 19, 4:30-5:50pm) – Meet “Women’s World Longboard Pro Surfers” Jennifer Smith, Kassia Meador, Crystal Dzigas and more, plus receive your free Roxy poster while they last. Outrigger Reef beach services kiosk fronting the Shore Bird Restaurant.

Roxy Jam Honolulu Pro Women’s Surf (Aug. 20-23) – Waikiki’s only women’s longboard surf meet brings competitors worldwide to crown the queen of Queen’s Surf. The quarterfinals and semifinals take place Aug. 22; the finals Aug. 23.

AccesSurf Inaugural Challenged Athlete Division of Surfing (Aug. 21, 23) –AccesSurf will introduce the first Challenged Athlete Division of Surfing, as athletes overcoming muscular dystrophy, quadriplegia, paraplegia and amputation demonstrate their surfing abilities and compete for trophies. The finals take place Aug. 23.

Scattering of Flowers to Honor Duke Kahanamoku (Aug. 22, 9:00am) – Join Hawaii’s watermen and women as they honor Duke Kahanamoku with a scattering of flowers, starting form the beach fronting the Outrigger Reef on the Beach.

Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s Legends Surf Classic (Aug. 22-23) – Sponsored teams with four amateurs and a Hawaii surf legend will participate in a competition run like a pro surf meet with heats, judges, scoring, public address announcer, and exhibit booths. Proceeds raised go to ODKF’s scholarships and grants program. The finals take place Aug. 23.

Waikiki Beach Boys Legends Celebration at Duke’s Waikiki (Aug. 22, 2-4pm) – Known as Ho‘ohanohano Na Kanaka O Ke Kai (to honor the men of the sea), this event is a gathering of former beach boys and friends of Duke sharing fond memories of old Waikiki.

Duke’s Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim (Aug. 23, 9am) – Hundreds of swimmers compete in a one-mile open ocean sprint fronting Duke’s Waikiki at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.

Sea Hawaii Waterman Challenge (Aug. 23, 10am) – This exciting team relay race consists of a challenging 500-yard swim, 1,000-yard paddleboard race, and 2,000-yard canoe race. Lifeguard teams from Hawaii and California, along with local canoe clubs, showcase their waterman skills.

Corona Extra Duke Classic Beach Volleyball Tournament (Aug. 23, 9am) – Four-person teams – three men and one woman – take to Kuhio Beach for this daylong tournament.

C4 Waterman/Honolua Surf Hawaii Paddleboard Championship (Aug. 23, 11am) – “Duke’s Race” starts at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai and finishes at Duke’s Statue in Waikiki and features some of Hawaii’s best watermen and waterwomen.

The Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau (Aug. 23, 6pm) – With ono Hawaiian food and the music of Cecilio and Kapono, this luau at the Waikiki Shell is a celebration of Duke and his legacy. Proceeds raised go to ODKF’s college scholarships and athletic grants program.

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Sunset on the Beach (Aug. 23-24) – Friday and Saturday night at the movies is never better than under the stars of this beachside theater at Kuhio Beach.

Finis Surf Polo Tournament (Aug. 24, 9am-3pm) – Held at the Hilton Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, this round robin water polo tournament features six-person teams playing on surfboards – just like Duke did. Last year’s teams included lifeguards from the City and County of Honolulu and Los Angeles County, as well as the University of Hawaii Wahine.

Lei Making to Honor Duke Kahanamoku (Aug. 24, 9:00 am) – Join the employees at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and help string 300 feet of lei for the official lei draping of the Duke Kanamoku statue that starts at 4:30pm.

Waikiki Lei Parade and Draping of Duke’s Statue (Aug. 24, 4:30pm) – This colorful Waikiki Beach tradition features the decorating of Duke’s Statue with bundles of fresh flower lei, which are carried on surfboards in a sidewalk lei parade along Kalakaua Avenue.