2026 Duke Award Winner, Maui High School senior, Aika Swanson. Photo courtesy Kelli Hergert

Waikīkī came alive with aloha on May 11 as the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation gathered Hawaiʻi’s community of watermen, waterwomen, educators, and supporters to celebrate the next generation of scholar-athletes at Duke’s Night 2026. Held at the historic Outrigger Canoe Club, the annual event honors outstanding young students who embody the values Duke Kahanamoku stood for — excellence, leadership, and an enduring aloha spirit.

This year’s Duke Award — a one-time $10,000 scholarship presented annually to an exceptional Hawaiʻi high school senior who exemplifies Duke Kahanamoku’s legacy — was awarded to Maui High School senior Aika Swanson.

Aika Swanson is a committed, competitive swimmer from Maui High School whose dedication extends far beyond the pool. A multi-time USA Swimming Futures Championships qualifier with several state championship titles to her name, she also serves as captain of both her high school and club swim teams, member-at-large of the USA Swimming Local Swimming Committee, President of the Maui High Book Club, a National Honor Society member, and a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She played a meaningful role in Maui Age Group Swim Association’s fundraising campaign, which raised nearly $40,000 in 2025, reflecting her deep commitment to giving back to her island community. When she’s not in the pool, Aika can be found surfing, skating, or catching sunsets at Big Beach in Makena. This fall, she will take her talents to Claremont McKenna College, where she will continue her swimming career while studying International Relations on her path to becoming an intellectual property attorney in Hawaiʻi.

ODK awarded scholarships to 28 Hawaii athletes at this year’s event, with four additional Maui seniors including Jade Brown from Baldwin High School, Sloane Jucker of Maui Preparatory Academy, EJ Savella of King Keaulike High School and Mikolaj Przeciechowski from Kihei Charter High School.

2026 ODKF Scholarships Recipients at Dukeʻs Night.
Photo courtesy Kelli Hergert

“Duke’s Night gives us an opportunity to shine a light on the student-athletes who will someday be our future leaders,” said Sarah Fairchild, Executive Director, Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation. “We want these young people to know that we see their efforts and accomplishments, and that our community stands behind them as they head off into the world.”