WAIKIKI (KHON2) — The Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Fest is live and direct as it returns to the shores of Waikiki.
Taking place from Aug. 15 to 24, the Ocean Fest attracts people from all over the islands to come and celebrate Hawaii’s famous surfer and Olympic athlete.
The festival has all kinds of events on land and in the water like, surfing competitions, canoe races, and even surfing for pets!
This year, 24 dogs and even a cat are taking part, with vets on hand to make sure everyone stays safe.
James Pamplin and his dog Church, surfur competitor, showed off their skills in the dog surfing competition. “Church loves being in the water. He just wants to have fun and help people surf,” Pamplin said.
Leilani Kawano, the festival’s cultural advisor, explained why the event is so special. This year marks what would have been Duke’s 135th birthday.
“Duke Kahanamoku grew up here in Waikiki, and his statue is right nearby,” Kawano said. “This festival is about more than fun, it’s about honoring Duke and living by his values, like aloha.”
Outrigger Hotels has been supporting the festival for over 20 years. Aunty Luana from Outrigger said the event helps kids get scholarships and gives back to the community.
Local surfers also took part and talked about how special the festival is. “It’s an honor to be part of this event and celebrate Duke’s legacy,” said Peter Mercado, a surfer who’s been involved for a long time.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
The Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Fest runs all week, giving everyone a chance to enjoy surfing, canoe paddling, and learning about Hawaii’s surfing history.