Duke Kahanamoku Statue in Waikiki

Located near the Honolulu Police Department’s station on Waikiki Beach, the famous bronze Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue welcomes everyone to the Waikiki surf spot where Duke surfed and served as one of the original Waikiki Beach Boys. Locals and visitors honor Duke by placing lei on his outstretched arms.  Visitors can also wave and send messages to loved ones through a video camera on the statue that broadcasts online.

Duke Kahanamoku was born in Honolulu in 1890, and gained international fame as a highly skilled surfer, having won gold medals in swimming at the 1912 and 1920 Olympic Games and also won medals the 1924 and 1928 games. He is considered the father of modern surfing. He served as the City and County of Honolulu Sheriff from 1934 to 1960 and unofficial goodwill ambassador of Hawaii.

The statue is among the more than 80 City monuments and sculptures on display for public viewing throughout Oahu. There are more than 900 items in the City’s art collection. The statue is made of cast bronze on a fiberglass reinforced cast stone base shaped to resemble a natural border.

The Duke Kahanamoku statue is located near the Hula Beach mounds at Kalakaua Avenue, near the intersection of Uluniu Avenue.