The 36th Annual Queen Lili'uokalani 2007

World's Largest Long Distance Canoe Races

The world's largest long distance canoe race was started in 1972 to fulfill a need, for a way to train for the grueling Na Wahine O Ke Kai (Women) and the Molokai Hoe (Men) - long distance canoe races from the island of Molokai to the island of Oahu.

The race was named in honor of the last reigning monarch of Hawai`i as the first race fell on Queen Liliuokalani's birthday, September 2.

Since those early beginnings, the race has grown. Now there are two days of racing, with the first day being the single-hull canoe races, followed by double hull and one-person canoe races on Sunday.

Crews from Hawaii, the US mainland and around the world come to enter this world class event.

Held each year on Labor Day Weekend, the fun includes a torchlight parade and dance on Saturday night, and an awards luau on Sunday.

About 15 members of Ikuna Koa (my OC club) arrived at Kona, HI from Tuesday thru Friday to join over a 1000 racers and hundreds of canoes.

Saturday's racing consisted of 18 mile open ocean events; Wahines race 18 miles south from Kona > Honaunau Bay after which Kanes swim out (with gear) to the 40 foot boats and, after the wind has come up and the sea is rougher, race back to Kona We did the race "Iron" class (six man) while some did it "Nine Man" class ("water changes"). Our team finished in 2:09:01, the two other San Diego teams did it in 2:20:48 and 2:20:58. Those two boats were all, but one, under 40 years old; we had three under 40 plus 47, 55, & 67. A seasoned Hawaiian paddler commented on our time "Anybody finishing under 2:10 is flying." I was honored to be picked up for the Sunday "Double Hull" race by a Hawaiian team of Grand Masters - the only haole amongst a boat full (12 paddlers) of kanaka.

Sprints races are typically 1500-3000 meters of "all out-'full bore'" paddling. This race was like a six mile sprint - a very wet one-had to bail four times. We finished with a bronze medal "Queen Lili'uokalni World Championships."

I've been invited (the only haole) to compete with a Hawaiian team to race the treacherous 41 mile Molokai Channel Crossing next month.

As racing goes, this was very good experience; looking forward to Molokai "THE Crossing."

Gordo-