The world knows the name Duke Kahanamoku. Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (August 24, 1890 – January 22, 1968) was a a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming, who also won notoriety as an actor, lawman, early beach volleyball player and businessman. He is credited with spreading the sport of surfing across the globe.
But Duke Kahanamoku is also an inspiration to young Native Hawaiians aspiring to careers in medicine. In 1990, Duke’s wife, Nadine, created the Nadine Alexander and Duke Kahanamoku Scholarship for Native Hawaiian students at the University of Hawai’i Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), to provide a pathway for aspiring MDs of Native Hawaiian ancestry. She wanted those students, as physicians, to serve the people of Hawai’i, and through them–and their patients–to let the world also know that Duke Kahanamoku has another legacy–a legacy of healing.
Upon her death in 1997, Nadine Kahanamoku donated their entire estate to the John A. Burns School of Medicine to be used for scholarships awarded to medical students of Hawaiian ancestry. Since then, there have been over 80 Kahanamoku Scholars, each with his or her own story; each, in his or her own way, perpetuating the Kahanamoku healing legacy.
“Through the couple’s single act of kindness, there is a single pebble in the pond, causing a ripple effect that changes the communities and the thousands of lives touched by this legacy of healing,” said Emme Tomimbang, president of EMME Inc. “It is a legacy of healing, a legacy of opportunity for medical scholars of Hawaiian ancestry and the communities they come to serve,” said Tomimbang.
Tomimbang is pictured above along with her husband, the Hon. James Burns (son of former Governor John A. Burns) with Nadine Kahanamoku in 1990.
Tomimbang is producing a television special being broadcast on KGMB-TV this month, to tell the story of Nadine Kahanamoku’s extraordinary act of philanthropy and her special relationship with her husband, one of Hawaiʻi’s favorite sons.
Emme and her team traveled statewide to visit with island physicians in their communities on Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. Dr. Haku Kahoano, also a Kahanamoku Scholar will serve as co-host with Emme. The program will feature the newest Kahanamoku scholars, along with physicians who are living Duke and Nadine’s dream, helping to bring wellness and health to the indigenous people of Hawai’i.
The one-hour special, “Duke Kahanamoku: A Legacy of Healing” , will air on KGMB-TV on Monday Aug. 24th, on what would have been Duke’s 125th birthday. The program begins at 9:00 p.m. It will be rebroadcast on Saturday, August 29th on KGMB-TV at 6 p.m.
In recognition of the John A. Burns School of Medicineʻs 50th Anniversary in 2015 and the 125th Anniversary of Kahanamoku’s birth the premiere broadcast of Emme’s program will be preceded from 8-9 p.m. by a encore presentation of “Duke Kahanamoku: Hawaiʻi’s Soul” (a program which premiered in 2005).
“We’re once again extraordinarily proud to be honoring the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku and his countless contributions to Hawaiʻi by broadcasting this remarkable special production,” said Rick Blangiardi, General Manager of Hawaiʻi News Now.
The Kahanamoku evening on KGMB-TV is presented by Bank of Hawaiʻi and The Queen’s Medical Center, and co-sponsored by: Kaiser Permanente and Kapiʻolani Women’s and Children’s Medical Center with support from the Estate of the late Wayne M. Corn.
To donate to the Kahanamoku funds at the University of Hawaiʻi, click:
Nadine Alexander Kahanamoku Endowed Scholarship Fund
Our classic photograph of Duke Kahanamoku is courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.