Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 19, Number 7, 1 July 2002 — Regattas, distance and one-man make paddling year-round sport [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Regattas, distance and one-man make paddling year-round sport

By Manu Boyd eanoe regatta season is in full swing on eaeh island with dozens of clubs gearing up for the state championships scheduled for Aug. 3 at Hilo One on Hawai'i īsland. Six

associations combine in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, known as HCRA. Two associations on O'ahu are the O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association and Nā 'Ohana o nā Hui Wa'a, better known as "Hui Wa'a." On Hawai'i, the Moku o Hawai'i Canoe Racing Association; on Maui, the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association; and on Kaua'i, the Garden īsle Canoe Racing Association. Canoe racing has evolved into a year-round sport, with the Moloka'i Channel crossings, "Nā Wahine o ke Kai," and "Moloka'i Hoe" as the climax. Mark your calendars for Sept. 29 and Oct. 13 for the women's, then the men's race that finish at Kālia, Waikīkī with entertainment, awards and lots of partying. As Moloka'i wraps up long-distance season, one-man season begins - mostly training, with races starting up in January. One-man canoes differ from kayaks in that they have 'iako and ama, the outrigger similar to those in racing canoes,

and employ virtually the same paddling stroke. Kayaks have no outrigger, and use a double-sided paddle in a circular, propeller-like motion. Racing canoes, both one-man and the traditional six-man, rig their ama on the left, while traditional fishing canoes are on the right. Both are considered wa'a kaukahi or single-hulled canoes, while some fishing canoes and all voyaging canoes like Hōkūle'a and Makali'i are wa'a See PADDLING on page 1 4

Hanana Kūikawā

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Paddlers pule before their race for strength and focus.

■ ■ — Last rnonth's Waimānalo Regatta drew hundreds of keiki, mākua and kūpuna to the beach.

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PADDLING from page 8 kaulua, double-hulled. Canoe pad~ dling (hoe wa'a) and racing (heihei wa'a) are among the scores of pre~ contact traditions that thrive today. Canoe clubs are open to kāne and wahine of all ages, with races ranging from 12 and under(quarter mile sprint) to seniors (one-and-a-half miles). The golden masters half~ mile race are for the most seasoned with participants at 55 years and up. Most clubs begin training for regatta season in March or April. Races begin the first weekend in June. Remaining races this month on eaeh island are as follows: O'ahu (OHCRA): July 4,

McFarlane Regatta, Waikīkī; July 7, Ke'ehi Lagoon; July 21, O'ahu Championships, Ke'ehi Lagoon. Hui Wa'a: July 4, Ke'ehi Lagoon; July 14, Waikīkī; July 20, O'ahu Championships, Ke'ehi Lagoon. Hawai'i: July 6, Kona; July 13 Hawai'i Championships, Hilo, Maui: July 6, Hanaka'ō'ō; July 13, Hanaka'ō'ō; Maui Championships, Kahului Harbor. Kaua'i: July 6, Hanalei; July 13, Waimea; July 20, Kaua'i Championships (site tba). Head for the beach this summer with friends and 'ohana for some regatta fun. Paddling is an excellent way to relieve stress and get in shape, and is a sport that invites one and all to join in. Paddles upl ■