Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Fdn

May 15 is Hawaiʻi Water Safety Day 🌊 Drowning is the leading cause of death for keiki (ages 1–15) in Hawaiʻi, and many of these tragedies are preventable. The Hawaiian Lifeguard Association recommends: ▪️Always supervise children near water ▪️Learn CPR ▪️Enroll keiki in swim lessons ▪️Choose lifeguarded beaches ▪️Wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets on boats and SUPs ▪️Check ocean and weather conditions before entering the water 🛟 I Palekana Kākou Ma Ka Wai — Let us all be safe in the water. Today, we also honor the individuals in our communities who protect others in and around the ocean through courage, quick action, and aloha. #HawaiiWaterSafetyDay #WaterSafety #IPalekanaKakouMaKaWai

Hoʻomaikaʻi to 2026 Duke Lifesaver Award recipient Spencer Allen! This award recognizes a young person from Hawaiʻi who has demonstrated a meritorious act in or around the water to prevent drowning or injury. On November 22, 2025, Spencer responded without hesitation after a vessel near Hanauma Bay sank offshore. Riding his jet ski nearly a mile into open ocean conditions, he located a missing 55-year-old man suffering from hypothermia and safely brought him back to shore. At just 17 years old, Spencer’s courage, skill, and quick action directly saved a life. His actions reflect the values of courage, humility, and service that Duke Kahanamoku embodied. Mahalo, Spencer, for being a protector in our community! Mahalo to all the donors who make these scholarships possible for Hawai’i scholar-athletes! Special thanks to our scholarship celebration sponsors: Host Sponsor: @outriggercanoeclub Gold Sponsors: @hawaiipachealth @raisingcanes Silver Sponsors: Graystone Consulting from Morgan Stanley Lousia & Ken Kleier Marcy Fleming Event photos by: @kelliwithaneye808

Hoʻomaikaʻi to 2026 Duke Award Winner Aika Swanson! The Duke Award recognizes an outstanding Hawai’i high school senior who exemplifies the character and personality traits of Duke Kahanamoku. The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation created this scholarship to help raise awareness about Duke and inspire individuals to emulate his character. Aika Swanson is a committed, competitive swimmer from Maui High School whose dedication extends far beyond the pool. A multi-time USA Swimming Futures Championships qualifier with several state championship titles to her name, she also serves as captain of both her high school and club swim teams, member-at-large of the USA Swimming Local Swimming Committee, President of the Maui High Book Club, a National Honor Society member, and a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She played a meaningful role in Maui Age Group Swim Association's fundraising campaign, which raised nearly $40,000 in 2025, reflecting her deep commitment to giving back to her island community. When she's not in the pool, Aika can be found surfing, skating, or catching sunsets at Big Beach in Makena. This fall, she will take her talents to Claremont McKenna College, where she will continue her swimming career while studying International Relations on her path to becoming an intellectual property attorney in Hawaiʻi. More scholarship announcements to follow in the coming weeks! Mahalo to all the donors who make these scholarships possible for Hawai’i scholar-athletes! Special thanks to our scholarship celebration sponsors: Host Sponsor: @outriggercanoeclub Gold Sponsors: @hawaiipachealth @raisingcanes Silver Sponsors: Graystone Consulting from Morgan Stanley Lousia & Ken Kleier Marcy Fleming Event photos by: @kelliwithaneye808

Congrats to Mikolaj Przeciechowski on receiving a @dukefoundation Ambassador of Aloha scholarship! Mikolaj Przeciechowski was born in Lublin, Poland, in October of 2007. At just six months old, he moved with his family to Maui, Hawaii, where he took his first steps on the sands of Mama's Beach in Paia. He attended Haiku Elementary School, where he formed a close friend group that introduced him to surfing. At age 8, he began skateboarding at Paia Skatepark, quickly progressing and winning several local contests. Though he started surfing later at age 12, Mikolaj fell deeply in love with the ocean. He attended Kihei Charter School for middle and high school, joining the surf team and competing in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) and HSA. At 15, he ventured into big-wave surfing. A life-changing moment came at 16 when he paddled into his first wave at Jaws (Peahi), igniting his passion for Big wave surfing. At 17 He was selected to represent Poland in International Surfing Association (ISA) competitions, marking a proud milestone in his journey. Ambassador of Aloha scholarship recipients are student-athletes from Hawaii who participate in canoeing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, water polo, sailing, other water sports, or volleyball with a record of accomplishments and an intention to continue competing at a high level in college. Recipients also maintain at least a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate the spirit of aloha through leadership and community involvement. #ambassadorofaloha

Congrats to Michael Kai Hochart on receiving a @dukefoundation Ambassador of Aloha scholarship! Michael Kai Hochart is an honor student and multi-sport athlete at Le Jardin Academy whose life has been shaped by the ocean. Born and raised in Kailua, Oʻahu, he began sailing early and started competing internationally by age 10. His competitive experience includes sailing, open-ocean surfski, kayak sprint, wing-foiling, and long-distance and sprint paddling. Michael Kai has achieved championship-level success at the state, national, and international levels, including selection to US Sailing ODP Youth Team, Hawaiʻi Youth Sailor of the Year, State Singlehanded Sailing Champion, multiple ILH All-Stars, HHSAA Paddling State Champion, ILH Doubles Kayaking Champion, and Vice Junior Molokaʻi Hoe World Champion. Looking ahead, he plans to study engineering at a four-year college while competing in collegiate sailing. Beyond competition, he is committed to ocean stewardship, developing ʻIwa App, an award-winning mobile application supporting conservation at Paphānaumokuakea Marine National Monument and volunteering as a coach with Hawaiʻi Youth Sailing Association to promote water safety and inspire the next generation of athletes. Ambassador of Aloha scholarship recipients are student-athletes from Hawaii who participate in canoeing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, water polo, sailing, other water sports, or volleyball with a record of accomplishments and an intention to continue competing at a high level in college. Recipients also maintain at least a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate the spirit of aloha through leadership and community involvement. #ambassadorofaloha

Girls Beach Day is more than just a day at the beach — it’s a space where girls are encouraged to build confidence, try new ocean activities, create friendships, and feel supported by their community. 🌊☀️ Through Kelea Foundation’s Girls in the Lineup program, keiki are introduced to paddling, swimming, ocean safety, movement, teamwork, and mentorship in a safe and welcoming environment designed for all experience levels. What many don’t see is the community behind it all — volunteers loading equipment, Auntie Mentors showing up early, safety prep, activity stations, encouragement, and the many helping hands that make these experiences possible for our girls. Mahalo to every volunteer, mentor, partner, and supporter who continues to help us create spaces where our youth can grow, connect, and thrive. Thank you @hawaiiancanoeclub and @dukefoundation for making this event happen! Interested in volunteering, mentoring, donating equipment, or supporting future Girls Beach Days? Visit the link in our bio to get involved. 🤍 #girlsinthelineup #keleafoundation #keleacrew #mauievents ID A joyful beach day reel highlighting Kelea Foundation’s recent Girls Beach Day at Kahului Harbor on Maui. The video features young girls spending time together at the beach, learning ocean activities, paddling, swimming, playing games, and building confidence in the water. Volunteers and mentors support the girls throughout the day while they laugh, explore, and connect with one another in a safe and encouraging environment. Ocean views, beach scenes, and moments of friendship and empowerment are shown throughout the reel, celebrating community, inclusivity, and youth connection to the ocean.

This Mother’s Day, we celebrated across Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island with more than 100 participants gathering in the spirit of community, connection, and aloha. Inspired by Duke Kahanamoku’s legacy of aloha and inclusiveness, mothers came together to share waves, stories, encouragement, and space in the lineup. These gatherings were a reminder of the power of moms supporting moms, both in and out of the water, and of how meaningful representation of women in surfing is. When mothers feel welcomed, supported, and seen in the lineup, entire communities grow stronger. A heartfelt mahalo to the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation @dukefoundation for making these celebrations possible. Support from dedicated community partners helps create more opportunities for moms to experience the healing, joy, and empowerment that comes from being in the ocean. Here’s to building community, creating access, and getting more moms in the water 🤍 #surfing #surfingmoms #maternalmentalhealth #communitycare #postpartumsupport

Congrats to Kauhaʻanui Domingo on receiving a @dukefoundation Ambassador of Aloha scholarship! Kauhaʻanui Domingo is a dedicated multi-sport athlete from Ke Kula ʻo Samuel M Kamakau. Being apart of the first Hawaiian language speaking high school surf club/team, he strives to incorporate ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi into his other sports. Because of Kamakau's small but mighty surf team, Kauhaʻanui competes in all three divisions: shortboard, longboard and his favorite, bodyboard. Outside of school, Kauhaʻanui races with Waikiki Surf Club at the state level, competing in long-distance races including coastal races and the Molokaʻi Hoe World Championships. He mentions how growing up sailing on Kanehunamoku has helped connect him to his kupuna, the ocean, and being comfortable in the ocean. Ambassador of Aloha scholarship recipients are student-athletes from Hawaii who participate in canoeing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, water polo, sailing, other water sports, or volleyball with a record of accomplishments and an intention to continue competing at a high level in college. Recipients also maintain at least a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate the spirit of aloha through leadership and community involvement. #ambassadorofaloha

Congrats to Deion Chung on receiving a @dukefoundation Ambassador of Aloha scholarship! Deion Chung is a first-year student-athlete at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Henry J Kaiser High School graduate, pursuing his mechanical engineering degree. He has been competing for 10+ years, on behalf of Manoa Aquatics, Kaiser High School, Kamehameha Swim Club, and now at WPI. He also commits himself to his academics and community service, hoping to make leave a lasting positive impact wherever he goes. Ambassador of Aloha scholarship recipients are student-athletes from Hawaii who participate in canoeing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, water polo, sailing, other water sports, or volleyball with a record of accomplishments and an intention to continue competing at a high level in college. Recipients also maintain at least a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate the spirit of aloha through leadership and community involvement. #ambassadorofaloha

Congrats to Kawena Chillingworth on receiving a @dukefoundation Ambassador of Aloha scholarship! Kawena Chillingworth is a Division I beach volleyball player at Santa Clara University. Born and raised on Oʻahu, she attended Punahou School. In high school, she competed in indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, and track and field. Growing up in Hawaiʻi, Kawena enjoyed surfing, spending time at the beach, and hiking. She also worked as a swim instructor at Leahi Swim School. Throughout high school, she competed at a high level in beach volleyball. In 2024, Kawena won the AAU Hawai‘i State Beach Volleyball Championship and was honored with the Judge Wilford D. Godbold Award. During her freshman year at Santa Clara, she earned All-Freshman Team honors in her conference and helped lead her team to a second-place finish in conference competition. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Kawena volunteers with Second Harvest and BAWSI. Ambassador of Aloha scholarship recipients are student-athletes from Hawaii who participate in canoeing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, water polo, sailing, other water sports, or volleyball with a record of accomplishments and an intention to continue competing at a high level in college. Recipients also maintain at least a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate the spirit of aloha through leadership and community involvement. #ambassadorofaloha

Congrats to Alexi Sueoka on receiving a @dukefoundation Ambassador of Aloha scholarship! Alexi Sueoka, a senior at ‘Iolani School, is a dedicated water polo player who has embodied resilience as a 4 year varsity athlete and Headmaster's List student. Alexi was named two time MVP for her school team, represented Hawai’i with the Olympic Development Program, and competed internationally in Croatia and Malta. Outside the water, she proudly serves her community as a member of Kūpuna Connections and Meals on Wheels. Alexi hopes to embody humility and determination as she competes at the NCAA division 1 level in the fall of 2026 with Santa Clara University. Ambassador of Aloha scholarship recipients are student-athletes from Hawaii who participate in canoeing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, water polo, sailing, other water sports, or volleyball with a record of accomplishments and an intention to continue competing at a high level in college. Recipients also maintain at least a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate the spirit of aloha through leadership and community involvement. #ambassadorofaloha

Congrats to Molly Joca on receiving a @dukefoundation Ambassador of Aloha scholarship! Molly Joca is graduating from Kalaheo high school and is committed to attend and swim at Roger Williams University. She is set to study marine biology and has always had a passion for the ocean and marine life. During her high school swimming career she was a four time state qualifier and eastern all star. Ambassador of Aloha scholarship recipients are student-athletes from Hawaii who participate in canoeing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, water polo, sailing, other water sports, or volleyball with a record of accomplishments and an intention to continue competing at a high level in college. Recipients also maintain at least a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate the spirit of aloha through leadership and community involvement. #ambassadorofaloha