LIHU‘E — The Mick Callahan Memorial Long Distance Canoe Race was held on Aug. 29, with a 23-mile total trek that spanned from Anahola to Hanalei Bay. The race was organized and sponsored by the Namolokama Canoe Club. Callahan, who
LIHU‘E — The Mick Callahan Memorial Long Distance Canoe Race was held on Aug. 29, with a 23-mile total trek that spanned from Anahola to Hanalei Bay. The race was organized and sponsored by the Namolokama Canoe Club.
Callahan, who passed away on March 16, 2008, was the Namolokama head coach. The canoe club held this race to honor his memory.
A very strong turnout of 28 teams lined up to compete in the race, which saw choppy conditions due to the North Shore swell.
The 14 men canoes got the race started, beginning in Anahola and traveling 13 miles to Kahlihiwai Bay. From there, the 14 women and mixed crews continued on towards the Kilauea Lighthouse, around a buoy and back to Hanalei Bay, finishing the 10-mile paddle at the Hanalei Pier.
In the men’s Open division, the Namolokama Canoe Club placed first with a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes, 52 seconds. The Ka‘iola Canoe Club took second with a 1:12:53 paddle. Niumalu Canoe Club was third at 1:13:52.
The men’s Master’s division came down to just a matter of seconds with Pu‘uwai Canoe Club hitting Kahlihiwai in 1:36:27, followed by the Pu‘uwai South Canoe Club just six seconds later.
In the men’s Senior Master’s division, Namolokama was crowned in a time of 1:41:48.
They also took home first in the men’s Golden Master’s division with a time of 1:49:17. Kaiola finished second in 2:02:40.
The women’s divisions then took over and Namolokama didn’t lose anything in the transition. They took the women’s Open paddle with a time of 1:15:47. Niamalu was a strong second in 1:16:24. Ka‘iola finished third in 1:17:13.
Namolokama also won the women’s Master’s division with a time of 1:34:20.
Niamalu took home the women’s Senior Master’s crown on a 1:29:52 paddle.
The mixed crews division came down to the wire as Hanalei Canoe Club just edged out Pu‘uwai South with a time of 1:17:26. Pu‘uwai South reached the pier just 11 seconds later.
After the race, the group moved to the Namolokama club site in Hanalei where Christophe, the day’s “chef,” served the hungry paddlers a lunch spread of jambalaya, salad, watermelon and brownies.
The 200-plus paddlers then watched as Mick Callahan’s son, T.J., his daughter, Sabrina, and his granddaughter, Emmalani, presented awards to the recipients.
