Hawaii Offering Duke Kahanamoku License Plates
Hawaii is offering license plates featuring the likeness of legendary swimmer and surfer Duke Kahanamoku.
The specialty plates will be available starting Nov. 16 at all satellite city hall locations in Oahu with an initial availability of about 4,000 units. Proceeds from sales benefit the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, a nonprofit that funds swimming instruction programs and drowning prevention efforts in the state. The plate will cost $40.50 plus the $30 renewal fee, with $25 going to the foundation.
The blue plate features Daimond Head and the Waikiki coastline in the background with a profile shot of Kahanamoku and a depiction of him on a long board riding a wave.
Kahanamoku is an icon in multiple sports. Born in the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1890, he represented the United States at three Olympics as a swimmer. He won gold in the 100-meter freestyle in the 1912 and 1920 Olympics as well as silver in the 1924 games at age 34. He also earned relay gold in 1920 and silver in 1912.
He was one of the great early ambassadors of the sport, traveling the world to give demonstrations in swimming and one of the main things he used swimming for, surfing. He’s regarded as one of the pioneers of surfing, an originator of both technique and board technology. He is a cultural icon in Hawaii, where he served as a local sheriff and a military police officer in World War II.
Statues of Kahanamoku have been commissioned and installed in Waikiki, in Australia and in the mainland United States.
“We are extremely pleased to offer this custom license plate that will allow motorists who are passionate about this cause to not only support it financially, but also publicly show their support on their vehicles,” Department of Customer Services Director Kim Hashiro said.