Kahanamoku

[ kah-hah-nah-moh-koo ]

noun

1. Duke Pa·o·a [pah-, oh, -ah], 1890–1968, U.S. swimmer and surfer.

Example Sentences

Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary Hawaiian athlete who won five Olympic medals as a swimmer from 1912 through 1924, was one of the first and most passionate proponents of introducing his true love — surfing — to the Games.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1922, Weissmuller had become the first man to swim under one minute for the 100m freestyle and he repeated the achievement in Paris, finishing in 59 seconds flat to deny compatriot Duke Kahanamoku a third straight gold in the event.

From BBC

She grew up surfing in the same waters as Duke Kahanamoku, the noted “father of surfing.”

From Seattle Times

Most historians agree its modern form took shape thanks to Hawaiian surf instructors like Duke Kahanamoku, who in the 1940s would stand on his board to get a better view of his students.

From Seattle Times

His mother was an artist whose great-grandfather had served the Spanish and Mexican governments as head of the Santa Barbara presidio, and his father was an engineer who raced cars, flew planes and surfed in Hawaii with Duke Kahanamoku.

From Washington Post