Kahanamoku, Duke (Paoa) (1890-1968)

US swimmer and surfer. He revolutionized sprint swimming by introducing the flutter kick, and for 20 years was an international freestyle champion. A member of Olympic teams from 1912 to 1932, he won gold medals in 1912 and 1920. He is generally regarded as having introduced surfboarding (practiced for centuries by Pacific islanders) to the West in about 1912.

He was born in Hawaii. He had a brief film career, and was sheriff of Honolulu 1932-61.