He faced racial segregation with a smile and spent his life sharing the true values of sports. Explore the life of Duke Kahanamoku in pictures.
For many, Duke is the ultimate surfing legend - the father of modern surfing. But he was also a prolific record-breaking swimmer, with multiple Olympic medals under his belt.
The ambassador of Aloha lived a colorful life in the days of black-and-white photography. Kahanamoku was a tall and athletic human being.
With his smooth, laid-back attitude, the Hawaiian conquered many hearts and inspired generations to come.
Despite living in the offline era - the image of Duke was never captured by a digital camera - he is one of the most photographed water sports athletes of the 20th century.
The Big Kahuna helped promote surfing and the Hawaiian islands like no one else. And he never asked anything in return.
Discover the most iconic pictures of Duke Kahanamoku.
Duke Kahanamoku surfing Waikiki in 1910
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku in Hawaii, circa 1912
Photo: Photographer Unknown
A humble Duke receives the Olympic laurel wreath from King Gustaf V of Sweden during the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm
Photo: Photographer Unknown
A 45-degree portrait of young Duke Kahanamoku
Photo: Library of Congress
Riding an unknown wave in his own inimitable style, circa 1911-1914
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku wearing a suit, circa 1910-1915
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku with his custom-made surfboard, circa 1910-1915
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Lew G. Henderson, Vincent Genovese, E.K. Miller, and Duke Kahanamoku, circa 1910-1915
Photo: Library of Congress
Duke poses for the photographer wearing his swimming suit, circa 1910-1915
Photo: Library of Congress
Duke Kahanamoku in Waikiki with Charlotte Boyle and Ethelda Bleibtrey
Photo: Photographer Unknown
George Cunha, manager Francis Evans, and Duke pose for the photo during their trip to Australia and New Zealand, circa 1914-1915
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke plays the guitar in a swimming pool in Chicago in 1918
Photo: Chicago Historical Society
Hawaiian swimmers Harold Kruger, Clarence Lane, Duke Kahanamoku, and Elionsky participate in a Red Cross Benefit Swimming Meet at Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York, on August 26, 1918
Photo: Paul Thompson
A day at the Outrigger Canoe Club in 1919 with swimmers Lundy Luger, Helen Moses, Duke Kahanamoku, "Dad" Center, Warren Kealoha, Pua Kealoha, and Bill Harris
Photo: Photographer Unknown
The Big Kahuna bodysurfing at Makapuu Beach
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Francis Joseph Edmund Beaurepaire, Duke Kahanamoku, and Reginald Leslie Baker, circa 1914-1924
Photo: State Library of New South Wales
Duke goes tandem at Waikiki circa 1920
Photo: Photographer Unknown
An honest portrait from the early days shot circa 1920
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke with George David "Dad" Center at Antwerp 1920
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Sam and Duke Kahanamoku smile for the camera aboard a liner circa 1920
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke with a classic square-tailed redwood surfboard shaped by himself, circa the 1920s
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku standing on a beach with his surfboard in Los Angeles, California, circa 1920
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku leads the USA team into the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku prepares to dive at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku focused and ready to break a world record at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku, shortly after winning the 100-meter freestyle in the 1920 Olympic Games
Photo: Photographer Unknown
A youthful Duke wearing a stylish beard
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku and his crew in 1921
Photo: Frank G. Carpenter/Library of Congress
Duke Kahanamoku riding tandem with Viola Hartmann at Laguna Beach, circa 1922-1925
Photo: The Paragon Agency
Johnny Weissmuller and Duke Kahanamoku shake hands at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Johnny Weissmuller and Duke Kahanamoku at the 1924 Paris Olympics: rivals in the pool, friends out of the water
Photo: Bettmann Collection
Duke Kahanamoku and his younger brother Sam relax during a break at the 1924 Olympic Games
Photo: Underwood Photo Archives
Duke Kahanamoku is widely considered the world's first waterman
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku practices his golf swing while surfing a wave circa 1925
Photo: Los Angeles Public Library
Duke Kahanamoku hits the golf ball on a beach somewhere in Southern California circa 1925
Photo: Los Angeles Public Library
Duke, alongside his brothers Sargeant and Sam, in 1929
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku surfing Waikiki with Diamond Head as a backdrop
Photo: Underwood Photo Archives
Duke Kahanamoku riding his hollow olo board in Waikiki in 1931
Photo: Tom Blake
The Big Kahuna carries his surfboard over his shoulder
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku aboard the S.S. Mariposa on his way to the Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Relaxing on the side after a swim in a Los Angeles pool in 1933
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. and John Roosevelt pictured with Duke Kahanamoku in 1934
Photo: FDR Library
Amelia Earhart and Duke Kahanamoku in Hawaii between December 1934 and January 1935
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Tom Blake and Duke Kahanamoku pose with the first longboard equipped with a fin, circa 1935
Photo: Tom Blake/Croul Family Collection
A middle-aged Duke Kahanamoku contemplates the sights
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku plays the ukulele with Helen Lachman and Carmen Molero in 1937
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Sargent Kahanamoku, Louis Kahanamoku, Sam Kahanamoku, Bill Kahanamoku (seated), Doris Duke, David Kahanamoku, and Duke Kahanamoku, circa 1937
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku wearing his white robe in 1938
Photo: Rex Hardy Jr.
Charlie Chaplin, Duke Kahanamoku, and Paulette Goddard on board a ship and waving at the fans in Hawaii in 1938
Photo: Underwood Photo Archives
Duke Kahanamoku, as Sheriff of Honolulu, was always in great shape in 1948
Photo: Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation
The last photo of Duke surfing on his 64th anniversary, August 24, 1954
Photo: Clarence Maki
Duke Kahanamoku in a formal portrait, but always with his timeless smile
Photo: Photographer Unknown
An older Kahanamoku sharing Aloha with his infectious smile
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Duke Kahanamoku and his signature smile
Photo: Photographer Unknown
The Duke wearing a lei and a badge of the Royal Motor Yacht Club
Photo: Photographer Unknown
Read the best quotes by Duke Kahanamoku.