Get ready for Duke’s OceanFest, Waikiki’s premier ocean sports festival! The week long festival is set to take place August 17-25 in honor of the legendary Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, an Olympic champion, surfing pioneer and expert canoe paddler. He was revered worldwide as an accomplished waterman and Hawaii’s Ambassador of Aloha.

Now in its 18th year, Duke’s OceanFest features a series of fun and exciting ocean and beach competitions and special events held the week of Kahanamoku’s birthday, August 24,1890. Most of the competitions and events are taking place at Queen’s Surf on Kuhio Beach in Waikiki, one of the waterman’s favorite surfing spots, and home to the magnificent statue honoring his lifetime of achievements and furthering the Aloha Spirit.

In a special showing at 7 p.m. on August 23 at the Duke’s statue, one night before the anniversary of his birth, see “DUKE.” Award-winning native Hawaiian playwright and actor Moses Goods wrote and stars in this one-man show, portraying more than a dozen characters in an unforgettable depiction of the extraordinary life of Duke Kahanamoku.

“Duke’s OceanFest represents what Duke Kahanamoku stood for and how he lived his life by sharing his aloha and friendship with everyone he encountered in Hawaii and around the world,” says Chris Colgate, co-chair of Duke’s OceanFest. “This annual festival, held in Duke’s honor, is a community inspired event that is dedicated to bringing people together to share our aloha and celebrate the aina (land) and kai (sea) with everyone who participates.”

Duke’s OceanFest events include surfing competitions for youths, amateurs, tandems, the physically challenged and animals in a variety of events such as a Wounded Warrior canoe regatta, one-mile ocean swim, surfboard waterpolo, beach volleyball, movies on Waikīkī Beach, a beachfront lū’au and the special lei draping of the Duke Kahanamoku’s statue.

Duke’s OceanFest supports the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF) with proceeds from Duke’s OceanFest helping to fund ODKF’s scholarships and grants directed at Hawai’i residents and nonprofit groups competing in ‘Duke related’ water sports and volleyball.

For more information: dukesoceanfest.com