The 52nd annual Hawai‘i Modular Space Moloka‘i Hoe will take place this Sunday with more than 100 teams expected to participate in the Kaiwi Channel race that starts on Moloka‘i and ends on the beach at Waikiki. The field is
The 52nd annual Hawai‘i Modular Space Moloka‘i Hoe will take place this Sunday with more than 100 teams expected to participate in the Kaiwi Channel race that starts on Moloka‘i and ends on the beach at Waikiki.
The field is expected to draw as many as 25 international crews who will battle strong tradewinds and choppy seas — conditions almost the opposite from last year’s competition that ran on no wind and flat seas.
“With tradewinds in the 10-20 mph range, course management is going to be the key to victory. There are a number of crews that can win this thing, and the crew that minimizes mistakes will cross the line first,” said Bill Pratt of Team New Zealand – Hawai‘i.
Lanikai from Kailua, O‘ahu currently holds the record time of four hours, 50 minutes and 31 seconds, set in 2000.
Outrigger Canoe Club from Waikiki, a winner of the Moloka‘i Hoe more times than any other team with 16 wins, is a team to watch as the field takes off from Hale O Lono Harbor at 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Several teams from Kaua‘i traveled to Moloka‘i to compete also.
First finishers at the Duke Kahanamoku Beach fronting the Hale Koa Hotel are expected between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Oceanic Cable Channel 16 will air the race on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., and will have six repeat airings that week. For more information, access the Modular Space Hawai‘i – O‘ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s Web site at http://www.molokaihoe.org.
