Along the Kalakaua Street in Waikiki, a bronze likeness of
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing, bears witness to his impressive accomplishments and pays homage to his role as surf idol and ambassador of Hawaiian Aloha. The fastest swimmer in the world in 1912 he won an armload of Olympic medals by competing amazingly in four games (the 1920 games were canceled due to WWI) into his 40’s . His mythology was made even more potent by daring heroics during an otherwise simple day at the beach. Long before the beach boy culture and Elvis made Waikiki and surfing famous during the ‘60’s, it was Duke, an original beach boy, who brought competitive surfing to the world outside of Hawaii. This year the USPS even introduced a commemorative stamp series honoring Duke.
Visiting Waikiki, you can pay homage to the great one any number of ways. You can take a surf lesson in the gentle waves that break far from shore and provide the longest, smoothest ride imaginable, or you can leave a lei in the outstretched hand of Duke’s bronze likeness, or you can sit oceanside with your toes in the sand at Duke’s Waikiki and drink a toast to the icon of sport and the Aloha spirit.
Try a "Dig Me Daquiri" or "Tropical Itch" as you watch the beach boys and girls in action all around you while enjoying the tropical sounds of steel guitars and ukelele. Whether you choose the extensive open air seating, the expansive interior or a welcome spot at the bar, the restaurant makes plenty of room for the great crowds of people who frequent it as much for it’s ambiance as the food.
We were "between meals" during our recent visit so we ordered from the bar menu Thai Chicken Pizza ($7.95) and Poke Rolls ($9.95), a sort of egg roll with Hawaiian influences and a spicy-sweet dipping sauce. Duke’s is part of the TS restaurant chain, so here you’ll find a full menu sporting specialties that are also found at Kimo’s, Hula Grill and Leilani’s in Maui, including Hula Pie ($4.95), fish ($17.95-$market), steaks, ribs ($17.95) and island style pupus. At Duke’s you’ll additionally find, appropriately, the Duke sized Prime Rib ($23.95) and Duke glazed fish preparations.
The staff, like at all TS restaurants, project the good-looking, good natured and casual ambiance ideally suited to the Hawaiian beach scene. An extensive training program for staff assures that they will know their stuff both in terms of the food they serve and the service itself.
TS Restaurant groups really has the formula down in establishing the ideal merging of location, ambiance, and food that people just seem to love. Add to that the legend that is Duke, and the restaurant becomes a not to be missed fixture in the Waikiki dining/beach scene.