LIHU‘E — The 22nd annual Na Holo Kai sailing canoe race was held Saturday. Team Olukai displayed its elite status once again by navigating the world’s longest iron canoe race, a 90-mile trek from Haleiwa to Nawiliwili, in a time
LIHU‘E — The 22nd annual Na Holo Kai sailing canoe race was held Saturday. Team Olukai displayed its elite status once again by navigating the world’s longest iron canoe race, a 90-mile trek from Haleiwa to Nawiliwili, in a time of 8 hours, 46 minutes. An “iron” canoe race means that the paddlers get no relief and stay in the canoe.
A team from Outrigger Canoe Club padlled hard out of the gate to grab an early lead, but was unable to hold on to it once the winds picked up. Team Olukai, in the Kamakakoa canoe, began to build a lead by grabbing a southerly course through the sloppy conditions.
Laamaomao, from O‘ahu, made a charge in the late stages, but the light winds and reverse currents created a difficult gap to overcome Olukai’s lead.
Captain Matt Buckman came in second place, pulling in a mere five minutes behind Olukai.
Kaua‘i’s Team Olukai, consisting of Captain Marvin Otsuji, Butch Keahiolalo, Leroy Jumper, Noe Auger, Jason Dameron and Scott Wagner, grabbed its fifth straight victory. Otsuji is the only sailor to have competed in all 22 races held.
The final race of the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association season is the Kendall Pacific, which runs from Nawiliwili to Waimea on Sept. 13.
