Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest 2010 rides Waikiki surf, Aug. 22-28

Longboard surfing! Tandem wave riding! Stand-up paddleboarding! Volleyball! Surf polo! Open ocean swims! Luau!

If you’re in Waikiki all next week, from Sun., Aug. 22 to Sat., Aug. 28, you’ll get to experience all of the above—from surf to shore—at the 9th Annual Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest. Put together by the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, the weeklong festival at Waikiki’s Kuhio Beach celebrates the life and passions of the Hawaii water legend.

Monies raised from the fest’s weeklong schedule of ocean contests benefit athletic scholarships for Hawaii students competing in water sports and volleyball, and athletic grant programs.

If you live in Hawaii or visit us often enough, you’re likely already familiar with the legacy of Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku. Kahanamoku all but ruled the surf breaks at Kuhio Beach for much of his life, as one of Waikiki’s most famous beach boys and watermen.

He brought home five Olympic medals for swimming at the 1912, 1920 and 1924 summer games—three of ‘em gold. Post-Olympics, Kahanamoku became Hawaii’s first real ambassador of surfing, generating worldwide interest in the sport on his travels. He was the first inductee to both the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the International Surfing Hall of Fame.

A Waikiki statue honoring Kahanamoku, who passed away in 1968 at age 77, is one of the most popular photo spots on Kuhio Beach, and ground zero for next week’s OceanFest.

We’ve listed the complete Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest schedule below, by day, from Aug. 22-28. Except where noted, nearly all of OceanFest’s sports competitions and events are free and open to the public.

See you on the beach!

Sun., Aug. 22

• 10 a.m.
Hoomana Opening Ceremony, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, 2005 Kalia Rd., Waikiki
 

Tues., Aug. 24

• 7 a.m.
Sunrise Blessing, Duke Kahanamoku Statue, off Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki (pictured, right).
The blessing ceremony honors the 120th anniversary of Duke’s birth.

• 8:30 p.m.
Toes on the Nose/Gidget Kick-Off Party, Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber, 2300 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki

Wed., Aug. 25

7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• 15th annual Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Hawaii Longboard Classic, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
The world’s best male longboard riders compete.

• Gidget  Womens’ Pro Longboard Open, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
The world’s best female long board riders compete.

• Cabana’s Pool Bar and Nashville Waikiki Tandem Championships, Kuhio Beach, Waikiki
Teams made up of two individuals on one surfboard display serious acrobatic and balance skills in competition.

Thurs., Aug. 26

7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• 15th annual Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Hawaii Longboard Classic, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
Competition concludes from previous day.

• Gidget Womens’ Pro Longboard Open, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
Competition concludes from previous day.

• AccesSurf Challenged Athlete Surfing Contest, Kuhio Beach, Waikiki
 Competition showing off wave riding skills of physically-challenged surfers.

• 2 p.m.
C4 Waterman Stand-Up Paddleboard Race, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
Stand-up paddleboarders race on a course off Waikiki.

 

Fri., Aug. 27

• 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s Legends Surf Classic, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
Team competition matching surf legends with amateur surfers to raise funds for Hawaii athletic scholarships and grant programs.

• 2 p.m.
C4 Waterman Stand-Up Paddleboard Race, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
Competition concludes from previous day.

• 4 p.m. 
Duke’s Waikiki Beach Boy Celebration, Duke’s Restaurant Waikiki, 2335 Kalakaua Ave.
Waikiki famed beach boys gather to share stories with old and new friends.

• 8 p.m.
Pacific Vibrations film screening, Outrigger Reef on the Beach hotel, 2169 Kalia Road, Waikiki
Screening of new surf film. Limited seating begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Sat., Aug. 28

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s Legends Surf Classic, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
Competition concludes from previous day.

• Maui Jim 2010 Hawaii Paddleboard Championships, Kuhio Beach, Waikiki
This paddleboard race starts at 11 a.m., miles away from Waikiki at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai, rounds Diamond Head Crater and ends at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue on Kuhio Beach. First finishers arrive just 90 minutes after start time!

8 a.m.
• 2010 Outrigger Hotels Corona Beach Volleyball Tournament, Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
Four-person teams compete beachside at Queen’s Break. Championship match at 3 p.m.

• 2010 Outrigger Hotels Surf Polo Tournament, Kapahulu Groin, Waikiki
Six-person teams compete in calm waters neighboring the Kapahulu Avenue groin in Waikiki. Championship match at 3 p.m.

• 9 a.m.
2010 Duke’s Waikiki One Mile Swim, Duke’s Waikiki Restaurant, 2335 Kalakaua Ave.
Swimmers compete in a triangular course beginning and ending beachside, just off of the restaurant’s outdoor lanai.

• 5 p.m. 
Waikiki Lei Parade & Draping Ceremony, Kalakaua Avenue and Kuhio Beach
This sidewalk surfboard parade down Kalakaua Avenue, ends with lei draping of the Duke Kahanamoku statue on Kuhio Beach.

• 6 p.m.
The Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau, Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki
Full sunset luau at the oceanside aquarium. On the menu: kalua pig, lomi salmon, poke, raw crab, squid luau, chicken long rice, pineapple, sweet potato, poi, rice and desert, beers, wine, juice. Entertainment by Natalie Ai Kamauu, Kaukahi, Alan Akaka and His Islands and, from Australia, Mel and the Longboarders. Tickets are $40 each, available from www.honoluluboxoffice.com.

• 8 p.m.
The Ride film screening, Outrigger Reef on the Beach hotel, 2169 Kalia Road, Waikiki
Screening of new surf film. Limited seating begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.