HONOLULU — The 2008 Rhino Ka‘iwi Channel Relay World Championship one-person and two-person Outrigger Canoe Race will take place on Sunday, May 4. This world championship for open ocean team racing in one- and two-person canoes will be starting from
HONOLULU — The 2008 Rhino Ka‘iwi Channel Relay World Championship one-person and two-person Outrigger Canoe Race will take place on Sunday, May 4.
This world championship for open ocean team racing in one- and two-person canoes will be starting from the west end of Moloka‘i fronting the Kaluakoi Hotel, across the famed Ka‘iwi (Moloka‘i) Channel, and finishing at the Ala Wai Harbor entrance (Waikiki side of Magic Island), a distance totaling 40.2 miles.
The event starts at 8 a.m. on Moloka‘i, with the winners crossing the finish line on O‘ahu at approximately 1:30 p.m. This event is a fundraiser, with a portion of the entry fees raised donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i.
Walter Guild, race organizer said in a release, “Worldwide popularity of one- and two-person outrigger canoe sports continue to grow rapidly. Even with limited access to, and lodging on the island of Moloka‘i, we are receiving an overwhelming response from participating athletes and spectators and still expect over 250 participating paddlers in this world championship, many of whom are from Australia, Tahiti, Canada, Hawai‘i and across the U.S.”
This team race will use one- and two-person canoes with team members exchanging their paddling roles in the open ocean. Team member changes will take place at designated times of the team’s choice. Each team is required to have an escort boat, which transports the alternate team members.
This annual event will mark the 18th crossing of one-person canoes from Moloka‘i to O‘ahu. It is also the ninth year of including the two-person hulls, which will have four people per team.
The Open OC-1 Division promises to be exciting, following an extremely competitive season with renowned athletes such as Karel Tresnak Jr., Kai Bartlett, Jim and John Foti, Kea Paaina, Raven Aipa, Nate Hendricks, Pat Dolan, Aaron Napolean and many top paddlers from around the world. The Open Women’s Division is just as competitive.
The approach to O‘ahu can be watched by land spectators from Sandy Beach, Blow Hole lookout, Portlock Point, Diamond Head lookout, Waikiki Beach and at the finish line at the Ala Wai Harbor entrance next to Magic Island.
