Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1987 — Promising Future Seen for Paddlers [ARTICLE]

Promising Future Seen for Paddlers

Carol Torgerson will continue to head the Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a Association as its president during the second year of a two-year ternn. Officers, association members and guests held their annual meeting Nov. 8 at the Pacific Beach Hotel where they heard three speakers give a promising future with growth seen in the number of paddlers and needed facilities. Other association officers are Rona Kaaekuahiwi, vice president; June Leialoha, secretary; Leinani Peltier, treasurer; John Kapua, race chairman. Kapua and Kaaekuahiwi will also represent the hui in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (HCRA). Wilbert M. K. Ching, who is with the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation, said a eanoe advisory eouneil made up of representatives from Hui Wa'a, Na Opio and the Oahu Hawaii Canoe Racing Association, alongwithoceanrecreation experts and members of the City Council, are working towards improving the facilities for eanoe paddlers on Oahu. Ching, one of the three guest speakers, cited two !ongrange projects — the Keehi recreation plan and the Ala Wai Canal. According to tentative plans, Keehi will have shower, restroom and parking facilities while the ground area abutting the lagoon will be improved with the building of an official's stand and grandstand for spectators. The Ala Wai plans include additionaldocks, parking areas and showers. Mark Markridge, another speaker, said that canoeing is a link between Hawaii's past, present and future. It is estimated, he noted, that over $2 million is spent eaeh year on eanoe racing on Oahu alone and that an estimated 5,000 people eome to the beaches eaeh weekend during the season to watch or participate, its popularity approximating that of the sport of golf. Markridge, a grant participant studying under the auspices of a University of Hawaii Sea Grant, added

that canoeing has become a focal point in Hawaii's relationships with other Pacific islanders and is recognized throughout the world by sporting groups. He explained that this is done with little or no assistance from the city or state government or the visitor industry. Markridge noted that the city gives greater financial support to the tiny sport of cricket than to eanoe racing whieh attracts upwards of an estimated 10,000 spectators to large regattas. A number of suggestions were ma^e by whieh the Hawaii team sport of canoeing could be expanded, attract more visitors and obtain needed financial assistance. Among the proposalsare to hold ajoint city-state conference on eanoe paddling to determine appropriate rules and jurisdictions; request the Hawaii Visitors Bureau to take a great interest in the sport and promoting it; hold a series of two eanoe sprints on the Ala Wai during Aloha Week so visitors ean see first hand the excitement of the sport; make the hui's needs known to city and state officials. State Rep. Peter K. Apo, former president of Hui Wa'a, gave a highly informative report about the newly passed city ordinance whieh allows halau to be. eonstructed at certain locations on Oahu. Fine-tuning needs to be done by Oahu eanoe associations ared the City Council's committee. The most exciting of Apo's report was the fact the American Canoe Association is trying to get eanoe paddling recognized as an international sport with an eye toward becoming part of the 01ympics. Apo reported also that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is working on several aquatic recreational suggestions. UH and a group of community people are working on development of an aquatic recreation center at Sand Island. Hui Wa'a during the 1986 regatta season, consisted of 13 clubs. The number will increase by three in January, bringing the approximate total of paddlers to 1,500.