Maiola Kalili

Maiola Kalili (November 3, 1909 – August 23, 1972) was an American competition swimmer from Hawaii who represented the United States at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, capturing a silver medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

Maiola Kalili was born November 3, 1909 in Laie, Oahu, in greater Honolulu, Hawaii to Hamana Kalili Senior and Kaloha Kukuawakea Silva Meheula. Kalili started swimming in Honolulu harbor where he and his brother Manuella would dive for coins. He soon began to train in earnest with Harvey Chilton, of Honolulu's exceptional Hui Makani Swim Club. Maiola also trained with and represented the Los Angeles Allied Athletic Club during his swimming career.

At the 1930 American Athletic Union Nationals, in Long Beach, California, Kalili and Buster Crabbe won four national championships, and placed second in a total of five races. By 1930, Kalili held a district record for the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:48.6, and in early May, 1930 swam the 50-meter distance in :28 seconds. Best known for excelling in freestyle and backstroke, Kalili was the 1931 AAU outdoor champion in the 200 yard backstroke event held at Hawaii's War Memorial Natatorium in mid-July, and placed second in the 100-yard freestyle to brother Manuella. He placed fourth in the 1500 meter freestyle at the 1931 Outdoor Championships. At the Outdoor Nationals on July 18, 1930 at Honolulu's War Memorial Pool, the Hui Makani team of Johnny Wood, Manuella Kalili, Maurice Furusho, and Maiola Kalili set an unofficial record of 9:29.4 in the 4x200 meter relay, outpacing a former U.S. Olympic record time of 9:36.2.

In 1932, Maioli captured the AAU indoor freestyle titles in New Haven, Connecticut in both the 220 yard and 100 yard events and placed third in the 1500 meter freestyle, while finishing second in total points. Maiola Kalili and his brother Manuella were part of the 1931 U.S. National Swimming Team, coached by Bob Kiphuth of Yale, along with fellow Hui Makani Swim Club member Buster Crabbe. Swimming with the U.S. Team in Japan, Maiola broke the standing Japanese record in the 100 meter backstroke in the summer of 1930.