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Outrigger Resorts dives into the action at Duke’s OceanFest

RELEASE NUMBER: 75/15

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WAIKIKI, HONOLULU, HAWAII – Duke’s OceanFest 2015 will kick off in Waikiki from August 22 to 30 with a variety of ocean sports and beachside activities. As a longtime sponsor of the annual event, Outrigger Resorts is proud to support Waikiki’s premier ocean sports festival and pay tribute to the legendary waterman as the official hotel sponsor.

“Duke’s OceanFest is always a ton of fun, not only for the exciting line up of competitions and special events, but because of the opportunity to share the culture and history of water sports here in Hawaii that have helped make Waikiki such an iconic destination,” said Bitsy Kelley, vice president of corporate communications, Outrigger Enterprises Group. “We encourage everyone – guests and local residents – to join us in celebrating the memory of Duke Kahanamoku and carrying on his legacy.

Participants and spectators looking to dive into the action should take advantage of Outrigger’s Duke’s OceanFest VIP Package. On sale now through Aug. 17 for stays between Aug. 22 – Aug. 30, 2015, guests can book a room starting at $324 per night at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, enjoy daily breakfast for two at Duke’s Waikiki and receive a 30 percent discount on Quiksilver and Roxy Apparel while shopping at Quiksilver (store locations include Quiksilver Outrigger Waikiki, Quiksilver Waikiki Beach Walk and Quiksilver Waterman Waikiki Beach Walk). This VIP offer also includes two tickets with reserved seating to Duke’s OceanFest Luau and two Duke’s OceanFest t-shirts. To find out more or to book your stay now, visit www.outrigger.com/dukesoceanfest.

Hundreds of amateur and professional athletes gather in Waikiki to compete in a variety of ocean sports that were close to Duke Kahanamoku’s heart, including longboard surfing, stand-up paddleboard races, swimming, tandem surfing, surfboard water polo, sand volleyball, and more. A highlight of the event includes the Outrigger Resorts Lifeguard Competition – including a swim relay, paddleboard relay, and rescue paddle event on Friday, August 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. on the beach fronting Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. The Outrigger Resorts Duke Kahanamoku Sand Volleyball Pro/Am Tournament is another fan favorite. The competition also takes place on the beach fronting Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25.

The event’s festivities also include a lei draping ceremony that marks the start of Duke’s OceanFest on Saturday, August 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. Lei making at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort will be followed by a procession from the hotel to the opening ceremony at Duke’s statue. The event is free and open to the public.

Duke’s OceanFest supports the mission of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF), the public, nonprofit foundation established in Kahanamoku’s honor in 1986. Net proceeds from Duke’s OceanFest help fund ODKF’s awarding college scholarships and athletic grants to (students from Hawai’i) and (organizations) competing in water sports and volleyball.

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.

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