Eduardo Bolioli Surfboard Art Exhibit ‘Golden Dreams’ Drops-In at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
RELEASE NUMBER 18|21
HONOLULU – In concert with the long-awaited inauguration of surfing as an Olympic sport, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is hosting a bespoke surfboard art exhibit by world-renowned artist Eduardo Bolioli, entitled ‘Golden Dreams.’
Bolioli’s work is a natural complement to the surf culture at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and its flagship restaurant, Duke’s Waikiki. The Resort, located in the heart of Waikīkī Beach, was the original home of Outrigger Canoe Club – where Duke Kahanamoku was a member and where he surfed the world-famous Waikīkī waves, thrilling onlookers and inspiring generations of surfers to follow.
Hawaiian icon and legendary Olympian Duke Kahanamoku was the ultimate waterman; at 21, using his revolutionary swim stroke, he won his first of five Olympic medals, three of them gold – hence the mural’s name ‘Golden Dreams.’ Duke represented the U.S. in the Olympics for 20 years, putting Hawai‘i and Waikīkī on the world’s map while inspiring fans with his grace, sportsmanship and aloha.
Duke is portrayed by Bolioli as the initiator of the Olympic surfing dream, alongside boards depicting the four 2021 USA Surf Team members: Hawai‘i’s own Carissa Moore and John John Florence with fellow teammates Caroline Marks and Kolohe Andino. Each board color – red, yellow, black, green and blue –symbolizes one of the Olympic Rings, with Duke Kahanamoku in the middle. Kahu Ralph Aona, a relative of Duke Kahanamoku, will perform the exhibit’s blessing to honor Duke’s legacy and the athletes competing in surfing’s Olympic debut.
Bolioli was originally planning to create and showcase his ‘Golden Dreams’ concept in Tokyo for the Olympics; however, due to pandemic traveling restrictions, the project transitioned to Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort.
“I’m elated to showcase this exhibit in Waikīkī – the birthplace of modern surfing – and memorialize the historic nature of this captivating sport entering the Olympic Games,” said artist Eduardo Bolioli.
The exhibit runs from July 25 through the end of the year on the second-floor lobby at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalākaua Avenue.
Souvenir, limited-edition giclée prints of ‘Golden Dreams’ will be available for purchase at www.eduardobolioli.com. A portion of the sales will benefit the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation. The surfboards will also be available for sale.
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, and now a Hawai‘i resident, Bolioli has reverence for surfing and deep connections to the surfing industry. He was the art director for Blue Hawai‘i Surf and Local Motion as well as a commissioned artist for major surf brands including Quiksilver, Gotcha, Billabong and Dropout in Japan. He began painting surfboards in the Aloha State for pro surfers, including multiple world champions. Bolioli was selected by Absolut Vodka to represent the State of Hawai‘i for an Absolut Hawai‘i campaign – which led to other opportunities throughout Latin America. His works of art have achieved worldwide acclaim and have been shown in New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Tokyo, Seattle, Kona, Scotland, Caracas, Lima, Bogota, Quito, Uruguay, Miami, San Francisco and New Jersey. His paintings are found in galleries and private collections around the world.
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is renowned for honoring the sport of surfing year-round with a host of related guest activations, artwork and even dining at the iconic Duke’s Waikiki Restaurant and surf-inspired Sunrise Shack. In partnership with Faith Surf School, owned by surf ‘ohana Tammy and Tony Moniz – the Resort has a monthly Surfers in Residence platform featuring iconic and beloved watermen, including Big Wave World Champion Billy Kemper and 11x World Champion Kelly Slater.
To help perpetuate Duke’s legacy, Outrigger has been the host hospitality partner for Duke’s OceanFest, Waikīkī’s annual premier ocean sports festival, since its inception 20 years ago and is a proud sponsor of the Hawai‘i Waterman Hall of Fame, which will induct U.S. Olympian Carissa Moore this Fall. Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort was also one of the venues for shooting the new WATERMAN documentary about Duke that will debut later this year.
Guests are invited to stay and play at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort with the Duke’s Package – it includes every fourth-night free, daily breakfast or lunch buffet for two at Duke’s Waikiki or Hula Grill along with a free Hula Pie with purchase of entrée and 15 percent off Duke’s Waikiki retail shop. It also includes a buy one, get the second at 50-percent off for a SUP 30-minute intro and 1.5 hours of rental at Faith Surf School; plus a portion of the proceeds will go to Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation. Use promo code DUKES at outrigger.com to book your stay.
The likeness and image of Duke Kahanamoku are property rights owned by Malama Pono Inc. and are used under permission. DUKE KAHANAMOKU® is a registered trademark of Malama Pono Inc.
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