Celebrate the spirit of aloha at the Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest in Waikiki

Every August, the shores of Waikiki Beach fronting the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort come alive with the energy of one of Hawai‘i’s most cherished traditions – Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest. Held in honor of legendary waterman and Olympic gold medalist Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, this nine-day festival celebrates his life, athletic achievements and lasting legacy as the original Ambassador of Aloha.

As a proud, longtime sponsor of this iconic event, OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels invites you to join us on the sands of Waikiki to experience the thrill of Hawaii’s premier ocean sports festival.

A week of ocean sports and beach culture

^{Photo credit: Matt Mariconda}

Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest showcases the very water sports Duke helped popularize – and new ones inspired by his adventurous spirit. Events stretch over nine days and include:

• One-mile ocean swim
• Stand-up paddle (SUP) and paddleboard races
• Tandem surfing
• Surf contests for physically challenged athletes
• Beach volleyball and surfboard water polo
• And even modern additions like foilboarding and dog surfing

Both local and international athletes, along with lifestyle enthusiasts, gather in Waikiki to celebrate the unique beach culture Duke cultivated.

Honoring a Hawaiian icon

Born in 1890, Duke Kahanamoku grew up surfing the waves of Waikiki Beach, refining the athletic talents that would earn him five Olympic medals in swimming and worldwide acclaim as a pioneering surfer. Beyond his athletic prowess, Duke became Hawai‘i’s beloved Ambassador of Aloha, spreading warmth, goodwill and island hospitality wherever he traveled.

Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest honors these remarkable contributions by bringing people together through friendly competition, cultural celebrations and the enduring aloha spirit that Duke personified.

Supporting Hawaii’s future watermen and women

More than just a festival, Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest also supports a meaningful cause. In partnership with the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF), the event raises funds for scholarships and grants benefiting Hawai‘i’s young athletes and scholars – helping to nurture the next generation of watermen, waterwomen and community leaders.

Stay where the action is

OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels is proud to support this storied event and welcome festival-goers from around the world to our beachfront resorts in Waikiki. Stay steps from the sand at OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort, home to the legendary Duke’s Waikiki restaurant, or enjoy convenient access to all the OceanFest action from OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel or the OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Paradise Hotel.

Book your stay and immerse yourself in the excitement, community, and aloha of Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest this August.

Plan your visit

Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest is held each year in late August on Waikiki Beach. Check out what's happening at Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest. 

Join us in celebrating the life, legacy, and aloha of Duke Kahanamoku – where the surf meets the spirit of Hawaii.

^{Main photo credit: Matt Mariconda}