New Parrish Kaua‘i canoe on loan to Kukui‘ula CC
PO‘IPU — A new Bradley Lightning outrigger canoe for six paddlers was dedicated by The Parrish Collection last week in Kukui‘ula.
The six-man canoe was built by master canoe builder Sonny Bradley and following its delivery to The Parrish Collection, is on permanent loan to the Kukui‘ula Outrigger Canoe Club from Parrish Kaua‘i for use in upcoming Kaua‘i paddling competitions as well as the world championship races, Na Wahine O Ke Kai and the Moloka‘i Hoe, states a release from the Parrish Collection.
Both Na Wahine O Ke Kai and the Moloka‘i Hoe are 40-mile crossings between Moloka‘i and O‘ahu and are among the longest and most grueling sporting events in Hawai‘i.
Bradley Hawaiian Canoes have been the choice of seven-time Moloka‘i Hoe champions Shell Va‘a of Tahiti.
Dubbed “Ka Makani ‘O Maha‘ulepu,” the Bradley Lightning was blessed with a traditional Hawaiian canoe blessing officiated by Kelvin Ho who led the honor chant, the placing of lei on the canoe and the pouring of ‘awa and salt over its nose before the Kukui‘ula Outrigger Canoe Club ‘ohana, who formed a circle with joined hands before coming together to lift the canoe up and above their hearts.
Following the protocol on land, six paddlers, including JP Parrish, took Ka Makani ‘O Maha‘ulepu for its first voyage on the sea, dropping an offering in the ocean before returning to shore.
“A winning crew depends a lot on the teamwork of the paddlers in the canoe and that is very similar to the spirit of my company,” Parrish says in the release. “This canoe represents the hard work the Parrish Kaua‘i team does every day, and I am honored to bring another competitive Bradley Lightning into the Club.”
During the Kilohana Canoe Club Long Distance Race last Saturday, which opened the Waimea Town Celebration and the 2013 Garden Island Racing Canoe Association season, Kukui‘ula Outrigger Canoe Club collected a number of awards including first place in the Novice Women division, edging out No. 2 finisher Pu‘uwai by less than a minute, crossing the line of the eight-mile course on a 1:23:46 paddle.
Kukui‘ula also pocketed first place in the Master Women 40-plus division and gold medals in the Masters 40-plus men’s race.
The Southside paddlers also collected second place finishes in the Novice Men and Mixed Open divisions, and third place finishes in the Open Women and Open Men divisions.
Visit www.parrishkauai.com/kauai-webcam to watch the Kukui‘ula Outrigger Canoe Club in its daily practices.
Established in 1984, The Parrish Collection Kaua‘i has four offices located in Koloa, Princeville and at Poi‘pu Beach to assist guests and owners of 200 homes and condominiums it represents on Kaua‘i’s North Shore and South Shore.
Visit www.parrishkauai.com for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.