In 2002, Hawaii’s most famous waterman, Duke Kahanamoku, was honored with a U.S. postage stamp. Find out why the Hawaiian surfing legend and Olympic swimmer continues to inspire many around the world today.

Surfing Legend Duke Kahanamoku Gets A Stamp
Aired on Public Radio International’s The World, August 24, 2002
By Heidi Chang

You can buy a new 37 cent commemorative stamp starting this weekend. It sports the image of none other than Duke Kahanamoku. If you’re a connoisseur of Olympic history, you’ve heard of the Hawaiian born swimming star. He won a slew of medals in the games, way back when. And if you’re a surfer dude, you either know Duke Kahanamoku, or you should know him. He popularized surf boarding around the globe. From Waikiki, Hawaii, Heidi Chang reports:

Listen to the Story (5:04)

Duke Kahanamoku | Photo courtesy of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and Malama Pono

Surfing Legend Duke Kahanamoku Gets A Stamp won a Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter First Place Award for public service reporting in 2002.

Related:

Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation
Each year, the foundation honors the legacy of the Duke on his birthday, August 24, and celebrates with a week of activities known as Duke’s OceanFest in Waikiki.

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