HONOLULU (KHON2) — A new face on the Hawaii license plate will be announced this Friday, Aug. 15, designed by a local artist.
The Duke Kahanamoku specialty license plate designed by Kamea Hadar will be revealed at the opening ceremony of the Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest.
“So, as someone who grew up in Hawaii, who grew up surfing, who grew up knowing who Duke was and what he represented, and to be able to contribute a little bit to his story and the history of Hawaii here is a huge honor,” said Kamea Hadar, local artist and license plate designer.
The OceanFest opening ceremony will take place at the iconic Duke Kahanamoku Statue, which has been watching over the Waikiki Beachwalk since 1990.
The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest honors the life of one of Hawaii’s most cherished watermen by hosting a variety of ocean sports competitions. The events take place from Aug. 15 through Aug. 24. Duke’s 135th birthday will be honored during the festivities.
Duke Kahanamoku’s legacy endures both in and out of the water. Known as the Olympic gold medalist and the father of surfing, he also held the title Ambassador of Aloha. A prestigious honor for his devotion to spreading the spirit of Aloha.
This license plate is not only meant to capture Duke’s legacy, but it is also for a good cause.
Proceeds from the license plate sales will benefit the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation. The foundation provides drowning prevention initiatives and swimming programs across Hawaii.
Hawaii Department of Health officials report that Hawaii ranks second across the nation for resident drowning. Drowning is the predominant cause of death in keiki ages 1 through 15.
“So, I think it’s our kuleana to have to find ways to be able to raise the funds and utilize those for drowning prevention and swimming initiatives and doing things so our keiki have the confidence to be able to utilize the ocean and respect it at the same time,” said Billy Pratt, Chairman of the Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest.
For a list of all the upcoming OceanFest events, visit the website.
The license plate will be available for purchase later this year through local DMV vehicle registration offices island-wide.