On Saturday, July 30, about 4 p.m., go over to Poipu Beach for the exciting finish of Na Holo Kai, a sailing canoe race from O‘ahu to Kaua‘i. One of the series sponsored by the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association (HSCA),
On Saturday, July 30, about 4 p.m., go over to Poipu Beach for the exciting finish of Na Holo Kai, a sailing canoe race from O‘ahu to Kaua‘i. One of the series sponsored by the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association (HSCA), Na Holo Kai first sailed to Kaua‘i in 1987, but this is only the second time that it is ending on the south shore. Finishers are often separated by seconds, and a couple of years ago, a canoe lost its race-long lead within sight of the finish line because of a tactical decision.
So there can be surprises at the finish.
It’s also exciting to see these uniquely Hawaiian sailing canoes and the athletes who race them.
The six-person crews must combine sailing and canoe paddling skills, strategy, familiarity with Hawaiian waters, and incredible strength and stamina to make the 92-mile passage firom Hale‘iwa on O‘ahu’s north shore to Poipu.
Marvin Otsuji, HSCA leader and sailing in his 19′ Na Holo Kai, points out that this course is longer than previous races to Kauai and requires some additional navigation and endurance. He estimates that the first canoes will finish around 4 p.m., but wind and ocean conditions can affect the time.
Otsuji expects 10 to 12 canoes in the race, including five from Kauai.
The canoes are 45 feet long, with a mast and triangular sail, modified outriggers, and a trampoline between outrigger and hull. They sail as much as possible, sometimes getting up to 18-20 knots.
The six crew members paddle if the winds are light or coming in the wrong direction and when the canoes must navigate specific courses, and they are in the canoe for the entire race.
Na Holo Kai is the longest race of the HSCA events, so the best and strongest crews enter it.
After more than seven hours of sailing and paddling, these athletes must somehow find the strength to make a sprint for the finish.
Having a big crowd of spectators, family and supporters might give them that final push. There will be refreshments and an awards ceremony after all the canoes are all in, and you’ll have an opportunity to check out these unique Hawaiian sailing canoes.
Marvin Otsuji, owner of Sea-sport Divers, has sailed in every Na Holo Kai race. Although it takes him days to recover from the grueling race, he says, “I just love racing sailing canoes. No one anywhere else in the world can do this (kind of canoe racing); it’s a real Hawaiian sport.” Now an experienced captain, he selects highly competitive canoe paddlers and trains them to race sailing canoes. “This is really an extreme sport. It takes a certain mentality” to upgrade their skills and performance to these canoes and to survive the long races. The crews that come from Kaua‘i include men and women who are the top single and 6-person outrigger canoe racers in the state.
Interest is growing in the sport, so Otsuji and HSCA plan to continue training new crews statewide.
Two more Kaua‘i events are planned this year and HSCA will organize events on other islands to get more paddlers interested so that there will be Hawaiian sailing canoes for generations to come.
Marvin and other racers are from Koloa and Po‘ipu, as are several founders of Na Holo Kai, so it is fitting to have Na Holo Kai finishing at Po‘ipu Beach and being part of Koloa Plantation Days.
Come down to the beach to celebrate this event and the accomplishments of these athletes.
Mahalo to DMB and Kukui’Ula Development, the HSCA, and other sponsors for their support of Na Holo Kai. Call Marvin Otsuji, Sea-sport Divers, at 742-9303 for more information.
