"Waterman" is the first comprehensive biography of Duke Kahanamoku (1890 1968): swimmer, surfer, Olympic gold medalist, Hawaiian icon, waterman. Kahanamoku emerged from the backwaters of Waikiki to become America's first superstar Olympic swimmer. He used his Olympic renown to introduce the sport of surf-riding to the world. Standing proudly on his traditional wooden longboard, he spread surfing from Australia to the Hollywood crowd in California to New Jersey. Kahanamoku's connection to his homeland was equally important. He was born when Hawaii was an independent kingdom; he served as the sheriff of Honolulu during Pearl Harbor and World War II and as a globetrotting Ambassador of Aloha afterward; he died not long after Hawaii attained statehood. RSVPs appreciated.