Duke Kahanamoku transformed the Hawaiian pastime of surfing into a worldwide competitive sport. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History acquired a surfboard shaped by Kahanamoku in 2015. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, A peek into our collections, one object at a time, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art, Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs. There are statues of Kahanamoku on Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach and in Huntington Beach, California. Many more would have drowned but for the quick work of the Hawaiian swimmer.”. He first made headlines as a record-breaking swimmer who introduced the flutter kick to the sport. One of the most prominent early players in modern surfing was Duke Kahanamoku. His large hands and feet probably helped him too. Kahanamoku developed his own line of surf clothing and experimented with smaller, lighter boards, like the one in this early photograph. After winning gold medals at the 1912 and 1920 Olympics, he was arguably the best swimmer of his era, described by the press as a "human fish." Al… He had five brothers and three sisters, including Samuel Kahanamoku and Sargent Kahanamoku. After contact with the Western World Hawaiian culture was forced to change. Kahanamoku (Aug 24, 1890–Jan 22, 1968) was born in Honolulu. Duke Kahanamoku, known as the "Big Kahuna," was an Olympic champion swimmer who is generally credited with having invented the modern sport of surfing. A stamp featuring Kahanamoku issued in 2002 can be viewed at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum. The police chief of Newport, California, said at the time, “Kahanamoku’ s performance was the most superhuman rescue act and the finest display of surfboard riding that has ever been seen in the world. This image is in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery; it is not currently on display. Smithsonian Snapshot A peek into our collections, one object at a time. Western diseases spread and colonization began, plantations were built, and immigration started. It was also noted in Le… He first made headlines as a record-breaking swimmer who introduced the flutter kick to the sport. Duke grew up with his siblings and 31 Paoa cousins. Duke attended the Waikiki Grammar School, Kaahumanu School, … His brother boasted to Malcolm Gault-Williams, writing for Legendary Surfers, that "when he swam, his Kahanamoku kick was so powerful that his body actually rose up out of the water, like a speed boat with its prow up." While Europeans obsessed over exploring and later colonizing the Pacific, they defined the islands as specks of land in a faraway sea. Kahanamoku (Aug 24, 1890–Jan 22, 1968) was born in Honolulu. After winning gold medals at the 1912 and 1920 Olympics, he was arguably the best swimmer of his era, described by the press as a "human fish.". In 1893, the family moved to Kālia, Waikiki (near the present site of the Hilton Hawaiian Village), to be closer to his mother's parents and family. Once Duke’s fame as an athlete reached a certain point, he decided to go on a world tour to showcase his skills and spread the love of surfing. According to Kahanamoku, he was born in Honolulu at Haleʻākala, the home of Bernice Pauahi Bishop which was later converted into the Arlington Hotel. He and his surfer friends pulled 12 survivors to safety using their surfboards (five drowned). Local Hawaiians, mixed with imported workers from Asia, were put to work on sugar plantations and Protestant missionaries attempted to turn the population from their traditional beliefs into Christians. In 1912, he introduced surfing to California, and two years later he awed crowds in Australia with his board skills. He swam with his head out of the water and achieved maximum push with each stroke. In 1925, his legend was secured and he won praise around the world when he helped rescue passengers from a sinking boat off the southern California coast. Duke Kahanamoku, unidentified artist, c. 1915, gelatin silver print. Kahanamoku developed a swimming style along with his famous kick that made him nearly unbeatable in the water, especially at long distances. Born in 1890, “The Duke” was one of the best surfers of his time and also an accomplished Olympic swimmer. Duke Kahanamoku transformed the Hawaiian pastime of surfing into a worldwide competitive sport. He was the first person to be inducted into both the Swimming Hall of Fame and the Surfing Hall of