DUKE by Moses Goods with opening musical performance by The Liliʻu Project, Sept. 5-6 on Maui

Native Hawaiian actor, writer and storyteller Moses Goods (“Chief of War,” “RESCUE HI-Surf,” “NCIS Hawaiʻi,” “Inhumans,” etc.) brings to life one of the most beloved figures in Hawaiian history, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, in this acclaimed one-person show.

The show will open with musical performances by The Liliʻu Project (Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Maui) – featuring John Signor, Starr Kalāhiki and Honybal Sosa.

Through this poignant and powerful theatrical work, Goods brings to life one of the most beloved figures in Hawaiian history. Duke Kahanamoku was Hawaiʻi’s first Olympic gold medalist, the father of modern surfing and an enduring symbol of aloha, humility and the resilience of the Hawaiian people.

Born in Honolulu in 1890, Duke shattered world swimming records, earned five Olympic medals across three Games, helped introduce surfing to the world, appeared in more than two dozen Hollywood films and served 12 terms as sheriff of the City and County of Honolulu.

His lifetime also spanned a period of profound change in Hawaiʻi, from the Hawaiian Kingdom through the territorial era and into statehood.

“Duke” premiered at Honolulu Theatre for Youth in October 2015, drawing more than 10,000 attendees during its five-week run. Goods subsequently presented the production at Pregones Theater in the Bronx and at Yale University through the Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program.

The 2026 tour brings the production home to Hawaiʻi and includes the first-ever presentations of “Duke” on Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi island.