From surfwear to swaddles, seven local brands come together to honor the original Ambassador of Aloha—with exclusive products that share his story through modern design and island pride.
Few figures in Hawai‘i’s history loom as large—or as gracefully—as Duke Kahanamoku. A five-time Olympic medalist, the father of modern surfing, and a lifelong ambassador of aloha, Duke’s legacy endures far beyond his athletic accomplishments. He embodied humility, excellence, and generosity. Now, seven Hawai‘i-based brands are channeling that spirit into a one-of-a-kind product collaboration with Mana Up and the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.
The Duke Kahanamoku Collection, available at House of Mana Up (on May 17) and online at HouseofManaUp.com (May 18), isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about moving Duke’s legacy forward—through the lens of local entrepreneurs who were shaped by his story.
“This partnership with the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation represents everything we stand for at Mana Up—celebrating local talent, sharing Hawai‘i’s unique stories, and creating meaningful products that honor our heritage,” says Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up. “It’s a tribute not only to Duke’s global legacy, but also to the thriving creative community here in the islands.”
It’s more than fashion—it’s cultural preservation through design.
“This collaboration with Mana Up is a powerful way to carry Duke’s legacy forward—not just through storytelling, but through the creativity and entrepreneurship of today’s local makers,” said Kenneth Berger, licensing representative for the Duke Kahanamoku brand. “Each of these products reflects the aloha, excellence, and humility that Duke embodied. It’s more than merchandise—it’s a living tribute.”
“This collaboration with Mana Up is a powerful way to carry Duke’s legacy forward—not just through storytelling, but through the creativity and entrepreneurship of today’s local makers,” said Kenneth Berger, licensing representative for the Duke Kahanamoku brand. “Each of these products reflects the aloha, excellence, and humility that Duke embodied. It’s more than merchandise—it’s a living tribute.”
Style with a Story
Professional surfer and Native Hawaiian entrepreneur Kekoa Cazimero honors Duke’s legacy through functional, culturally rooted surfwear.
His contribution to the collection features sleek windbreaker jackets, bold graphic tees, and modern boardshorts—each adorned with reconstructed crests and emblems once lost to history. These pieces blend athletic performance with deep cultural pride, reflecting Duke’s legacy as both a global icon and a symbol of Hawaiian excellence.
“The name AVVA means Ambassadors With Aloha and it is with this spirit that we addressed this collection,” says Cazimero, an athlete, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of AVVA.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kekoa grew up with a lifestyle traveling the world in search of perfect waves and collaborating with multiple action sports brands as an athlete.
“We were very honored to be able to work with the Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and we gave ourselves this challenge: What can we do to strengthen the Duke Kahanamoku brand while making sure that we honor, preserve, and protect his legacy? In this collection we painstakingly recreated some of the different legendary Duke Kahanamoku crests, patches, and prints that only existed in photographs as the original artwork was lost to time,” he said. “This artwork now becomes a part of the Duke Kahanamoku archive and will be able to be used by others to collaborate and promote the Duke Kahanamoku brand.”
Everyday Aloha
Other brands channel Duke’s spirit through everyday objects—each infused with deeper meaning. Meli Wraps, known for sustainable kitchen goods, created an eco-conscious dishcloth and towel set featuring ocean-inspired prints that reflect Duke’s bond with the sea. “He was living sustainably before it became a movement,” James notes.
At Jules & Gem Hawaii, founder Lana Gronwald took a more sensory approach. Her Duke collection—a soy candle, car freshener, reed diffuser, and room spray—is scented with maile lei, the same foliage that adorns Duke’s statue in Waikīkī during special ceremonies.
“Maile symbolizes peace, love, and respect. It was the perfect way to represent Duke,” says Gronwald. “As a Native Hawaiian and ‘water girl’ myself, I grew up looking up to him. This collection is a deeply personal homage.”
Even Surf Shack Puzzles found a creative way to honor Duke’s legacy—with a postcard-sized puzzle featuring his vintage portrait. Designed to be mailed or framed, it’s a pocket-size piece of nostalgia with a warm message: Send piece & aloha.
Art, Ohana, and Legacy
The collection also includes a limited-edition bucket hat by artist Jasmin Tanuvasa of Aloha de Mele, offering a playful nod to Duke’s effortless cool, and a soft, meaningful family line from Coco Moon. Think: infant coveralls, swaddles, a mama robe, and a polo for keiki—all tied to Duke’s lifelong mission of sharing Hawaiian culture with the world.
“We wanted these pieces to feel like an embrace,” says the Coco Moon team. A portion of proceeds supports Nā Kama Kai and the Duke Foundation—ensuring future generations of young ocean lovers continue to thrive.
The final touch? A striking 11x14 art print from Nick Kuchar, the beloved Hawai‘i-based artist known for his retro surf aesthetic and coastal-inspired work. Kuchar’s piece captures Duke’s 1957 appearance on the hit TV show This Is Your Life, a moment that showcased his achievements as an Olympic swimmer, surfer, and cultural ambassador to a national audience.
Rendered in warm tones and vintage textures, the artwork channels nostalgia while elevating Duke’s legacy into timeless iconography.
“As the father of modern surfing, an Olympic swimmer, and an all-around waterman, Duke’s legacy is profound,” says Kuchar. “I wanted to honor that by telling a visual story that feels both classic and fresh. I’m humbled to play even a small role in preserving what he stood for.”
Each print is a numbered limited edition and a portion of proceeds supports the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation—fitting for an artwork that, like Duke himself, gives back to the community.
A Legacy Passed Forward
From surf to scent, fashion to family, each piece in the Duke Kahanamoku Collection is a story of respect, creativity, and cultural pride. It’s also a testament to the strength of Hawai‘i’s small business community—where local entrepreneurs are not only growing their brands, but carrying forward the values of those who came before them.
“What we’re doing here is bigger than commerce,” says James. “It’s about storytelling, legacy-building, and pride in place. That’s the true spirit of aloha—and that’s what Duke stood for.”
The Duke Kahanamoku Collection is available on May 17 at House of Mana Up (South Shore Market & Royal Hawaiian Center) stores and online at HouseofManaUp.com soon after. To learn more about the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, visit DukeFoundation.org.