Ambassadors of Aloha Three OCC members were recognized for carrying forth Duke Kahanamoku’s legacy at Duke’s Night. IN LATE MAY, The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF) celebrated 32 students statewide who are continuing Duke’s legacy of aloha and athletic competition at the Club’s Koa Lanai. The Duke’s Night program featured a buffet and an illustrious panel discussion led by Billy Pratt. Fellow OCC member Mark Towill and other prominent Hawai‘i athletes, Wyatt Jones and Shelley Oates-Wilding, offered junior athletes some words of wisdom in regard to competing in sports and life. All 32 students received scholarships for their outstanding character and values, but it was Makana Fake, a student at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, who was awarded the most prominent one, the Duke Award. “All of the students honored at Duke’s Night embody the spirit and passions of Duke Kahanamoku,” said Sarah Fairchild, Executive Director at ODKF. “They are our next generation of Ambassadors of Aloha, teaching their peers, co-workers, and competitors about Hawai‘i and the aloha spirit.” Three OCC junior athletes (coincidentally, all female volleyball players) received recognition for their outstanding contributions to the community and embodying the aloha spirit in everything they do: KAWENA CHILLINGWORTH Kawena recently graduated from Punahou School, and will play beach volleyball at Santa Clara University in the fall, majoring in business. She enjoys spending her free time at the beach surfing, paddling, and shelling. She has played beach and indoor volleyball all her life. SOFIA CONNOR A student at Seabury Hall on Maui, Sofia is an avid volleyball player who plans to continue playing beach volleyball at a competitive, Division I university next fall. Last summer, Sofia represented Hawai’i in Italy and Croatia, and was named to the Global Challenge Volleyball All-Tournament Team. She was co-captain of her high school team and earned First Team All-League Honors. Sofia travels to O‘ahu every weekend to train with the OCC’s Beach Volleyball program. HIE LOUI Born and raised in ‘Āina Haina, Loui grew up immersed in multiple Duke sports including canoe paddling, surfing, beach volleyball and indoor volleyball. She attended Punahou School and graduated
From top to bo¡om: Kawena Chillingworth, Sofia Connor and Hie Loui
with a 3.92 GPA. Upon graduation, she completed flight training at Barbers Point Flight School and obtained her Private Pilot License in July 2023. Now, she is pursuing her Instrument Rating at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University while also playing on the women’s volleyball team. In addition to her academic achievements, Hie volunteers at the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, Mālama Maunalua and Wailupe ‘Ohana Council. ODKF was established in 1986, and to date has awarded more than $3.7 million in grants and scholarships. To learn more about ODKF, visit www. DukeFoundation.org.
july / august 2024 | AMA 23
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