“Duke,” a one-man show sharing the story of legendary waterman Duke Paoa Kahanamoku opens in Honolulu this week and will make the first stop of its summer tour at Blue Note Hawaiʻi in Waikīkī, near the shores he used to surf.
It stars Moses Goods, who wrote “Duke” and is an actor, playwright, cultural practitioner and educator. He is known for his recent roles in the Apple TV mini series “Chief of War” and the Disney live action adaptation of “Moana,” as well as recurring guest roles on “Rescue: HI-Surf,” “NCIS: Hawaiʻi” and Marvel’s “Inhumans.”
Goods will play at least 10 characters in the one-man show, which will have nine performances at locations across Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui. But it all starts at the Blue Note Hawaiʻi with back-to-back performances at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m on Thursday, Aug. 20.
Actor Moses Goods stands beside photos of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. (Brad Goda) 
Actor Moses Goods with awards won by Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. (Brad Goda)
“They usually bring in musical acts and comedy acts, but this is the first piece of theater that they're having on their stage,” Goods told Aloha State Daily. “And it's really an honor to do that. But the big thing is to be performing it in Waikīkī, where Duke lived, where he grew up, where he reached his fame — all of that happened on the sands of Waikīkī. And he's still there. His family is still there. He's in the sand there. He's in the water there. To be able to perform it that close to where he's from — his ashes were returned to the water right there in Waikīkī. That to me is such a powerful thing to kick off tour with.”
Kahanamoku was an ambassador of aloha and surfing to the world and one of the legendary Waikīkī Beach Boys, who also won five Olympic medals, including three golds. He also appeared in more than two dozen Hollywood films and served as sheriff of the City and County of Honolulu.
Moses Goods wrote "Duke," which will make a summer tour through the Islands, starting with shows in Waikīkī on Thursday, Aug. 20. (Brad Goda) 
Duke was a legendary waterman, known for being an ambassador of surfing and aloha. (Brad Goda) 
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, portrayed here by actor Moses Goods, appeared in more than dozen Hollywood films and served as sheriff of the City and County of Honolulu. (Brad Goda)
After the Blue Note Hawaiʻi shows, Goods will take the one-man show to Kauaʻi for its first performances on the Garden Isle. There will be two shows on Kauaʻi, one on Hawaiʻi Island, and four on Maui.
Net proceeds from the tour will benefit Inamona, a nonprofit founded by Goods that works to preserve “the moʻolelo of Hawaiʻi through film, storytelling and theatrical arts,” according to its website.
Originally, “Duke” premiered at Honolulu Theatre for Youth in October of 2015, drawing more than 10,000 attendees over a five-week run. Later, Goods performed the show at Pregones Theater in the Bronx and at Yale University.
Goods has not done the show in at least six or seven years, he said.
“I'm still in good shape, but I'm a different person physically,” the actor added. “But what's cool about that is my craft has grown as an actor. I've matured, and so even though I'm older, it's a good thing because the show has evolved along with my career and my journey.”
To get into character, especially when playing real people, Goods does oli to connect with kūpuna. He also spent time in Kālia, where the Kahanamoku’s family lived, some of which is now Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort.
“It was a much different time back then,” Goods said. “I spent time in that area, going into those waters, which those waters are very different now, so you got a lot of mixed emotions being there. But all of that was part of my preparation for the creation of the show.”
This week, the actor also cut his hair, which he had been growing out for about four years. In fact, his barber was standing by to start the process as soon as he ended his interview with ASD, he said.
“People are hungry for more stories of Hawaiʻi, and now is the time to really just lean into the stories that have shaped who we are — our community, our people,” Goods said. “His is probably one of the biggest stories that has shaped all lives in Hawaiʻi. He's such an icon and a symbolic person, and he made Hawaiʻi famous, and so Duke's story is one that people really should hear. And now's the time to do it.”
Performances of the show on Oʻahu, Maui and Kauaʻi will also include a 30-minute musical set by The Liliʻu Project, featuring singer Starr Kalāhiki, musician and composer John Signor, and guitarist and composer Honybal Sosa. The Hilo show will feature Hawaiian singer and songwriter Hāwane Rios. Henry Kapono Foundation On The Rise singer-songwriter Tiara Gomes will perform at the Kaua‘i shows with a musical set that proceeds The Liliʻu Project.
Tickets start at $25 for bar seating for the shows at Blue Note Hawaiʻi on Thursday, Aug. 20. Get tickets.
“Duke” 2026 Summer Tour
Aug. 20 – Waikīkī, Oʻahu: Blue Note Hawaiʻi; 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 21 – Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi: Kauaʻi Community College Performing Arts Center; 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 22 – Kīlauea, Kauaʻi: The Porter Pavilion at Anaina Hou Community Park; 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 28 – Hilo, Hawaiʻi island: Palace Theater; 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 – Kīhei, Maui: ProArts Playhouse; 3 and 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 – Kīhei, Maui: ProArts Playhouse; 3 and 7 p.m.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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