Kahanamoku had qualified for the US Olympic swimming team in 1912. At the Summer Olympics in Stockholm that year, he won a gold medal in the 100-metre freestyle event, and a silver medal in the men`s 4x200-metre freestyle relay. He finished the 100 metres event at the 1924 Olympics in Paris with a silver medal.
He had a ripe political career, Kahanamoku was also elected the sheriff of his home county 13 times and starred in over a dozen movies. Most importantly, he is credited with helping the Hawaiian islands achieve statehood in 1959.
A bronze statue at Waikiki beach in Honolulu honours his memory. Kahanamoku died of a heart attack on January 22, 1968 at the age of 77.
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