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Duke's Remarkable Life

1890 - Born in Honolulu on August 24 to Duke and Julia, full-blooded Hawaiians and descendents of royalty. 

1911 - At 21, broke 3 freestyle world records in his first swimming races in Honolulu Harbor. 

1912 - Won 2 Olympic Medals in Stockholm – a Gold while setting the world record for the 100 meter freestyle and a Silver with the U.S. freestyle relay team. 

1918 Swam in exhibitions in 30 mainlandcities to raise money for the war effort.  

1920 Won 2 more Gold Medals forswimming in the Antwerp Olympics for the 100 meter freestyle and on the U.S. freestyle relay team. Recommended surfing as an Olympic event. 

1924 Won a Silver Medal in the ParisOlympics in the 100 meter freestyle. 

1922-30 Lived in Los Angeles andplayed parts in over 28 Hollywood movies.  

1925 Heroic board rescue of 8drowning men at Newport Beach, CA  

1929 Rode a monster wave for 1 1/8miles at Waikiki – likely the longest ride in modern times.  

1932 At age 42, won a Bronze Medalas an alternate on the U.S. Water Polo team in the Los Angeles Olympics.  

1934-59 Sheriff for the City andCounty of Honolulu. Re-elected 13 times.  1960 Appointed the new state ofHawaii's Official Ambassador of Aloha.  

1965 Inducted into Swimming Hallof Fame.  

1966 Inducted into Surfing Hall ofFame becoming the first person to be inducted into both the Swimming and Surfing Halls of Fame.  

1968 Died in Honolulu on January 22followed by a Waikiki Beachboy funeral.  

1984 Posthumously inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. 2002 The United States Postal Service releases a limited edition first-class postage stamp depicting a young Duke Kahanamoku in Waikiki