Outrigger Resorts - Duke's OceanFest Sand Volleyball Pro/Am and Reception

Duke's OceanFest 2015, which is held in honor of the late Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, legendary waterman and Ambassador of Aloha, kicked off this past Saturday, and will continue through this weekend (pending weather/beach closure issues).  Outrigger Resorts is a longtime sponsor and official hotel sponsor of this annual event, and yesterday the Sand Volleyball Pro/Am took place right outside of Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort.

An empty beach!

Although it was pouring rain across the island (and famous Waikiki Beach was closed due to a sewage spill), the skies cleared up just enough for the volleyball game, featuring three-time gold medal Olympian Misty May-Treanor.

Misty May-Treanor in the black tank and gray pants

A reception followed, which showcased several dishes from Duke's Waikiki and Hula Grill Waikiki (both restaurants are located on property at Outrigger Waikiki Beach), including:

Braised Short Ribs with Truffled Potatoes and Kona Pipeline Porter Glaze

Jidori Chicken Summer Roll

Red Curry Chicken Skewers

Seared Scallop with Lemongrass Coconut Nage

Farmer's Market Chopped Salad

Poke Wonton Spoons

Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Warm Salted Caramel

There was also a fun photo booth!

Someone is eating too much lavosh!

VIPs later took a moment to speak about Duke and Duke's OceanFest.  A few of the speakers included Chairman of the Board of Outrigger Enterprises Group, Dr. Charles Kelley, who told of how the relationship between Outrigger Resorts and Duke began; President & CEO of Bishop Museum, Blair Collis, talked about the museum's new Duke Paoa Kahanamoku exhibit; Bill Pratt, Past President of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF), discussed the organization's goals in helping to perpetuate Duke's legacy (net proceeds from Duke's OceanFest help fund ODKF's awarding of college scholarships and athletic grants to Hawai'i residents and nonprofit groups competing in water sports and volleyball).

There was also an appearance by Abbie, the world's top pro surfing dog!

It was very evident how Duke's influence as not only a surfer and an athlete, but also as an Ambassador of Aloha, continues to touch so many today.

For more information, or a complete schedule of events, visit www.dukesoceanfest.com, or visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DukesOceanFest. For more information about the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, visit www.dukefoundation.org.