Keo Nakama

Keo Nakama (May 21, 1920 – September 8, 2011) was an American swimmer.

Nakama in 1942

Nakama was born in the town of Puʻunene, Hawaii, on the island of Maui.[1] He was one of a group taught by Soichi Sakamoto at the Puʻunene School[2] His swimming career included a world record 20:29 in the mile swim, Big Ten Conference titles at Ohio State, and numerous national and international victories. The outbreak of World War II prevented his competing in an Olympic Games: Nakama was at his peak from 1940 to 1944. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1975.[1][3]

Nakama is best known for swimming from the island of Molokai to Oahu in Hawaii, at 40 years of age. In September 1961, he crossed the dangerous 27-mile Ka Iwi Channel in 15 ½ hours; he was the first person to verifiably accomplish this feat.[2]

Nakama was later elected to the Hawaii State House of Representatives, where he served for five terms until 1974.[4] He died in Honolulu at the age of 91.[1]

See also

References
  1. Loomis, Ilima (September 8, 2011), "'Pioneer in swimming' Nakama dies at 91: Maui native overcame adversity to set records", The Maui News
  2. Checkoway, Julie (October 27, 2015). The Three-Year Swim Club: The Untold Story of Maui's Sugar Ditch Kids and Their Quest for Olympic Glory. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 978-1455523443.
  3. "KEO NAKAMA (USA)". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  4. "Flags at half-staff in honor of Nakama", Hawaii 24/7, September 30, 2011
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