KAILUA-KONA — The motto is the show must go on — at least for now — when it comes to the Queen Liliuokalani Outrigger Canoe race.
KAILUA-KONA — The motto is the show must go on — at least for now — when it comes to the Queen Liliuokalani Outrigger Canoe race.
As of Wednesday evening, the 45th edition of the event — slated for Saturday — was still on, despite Tropical Storm Madeline and Hurricane Lester bearing down on the Big Island.
“It’s still a go,” race director Mike Atwood said, noting that organizers are working closely with various government agencies to keep up-to-date on any weather condition changes.
Touted as the largest long-distance outrigger canoe race in the world, the event will play host to more than 2,500 paddlers from around the globe this weekend, with crews coming from as far Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. Local paddlers from around the state will also be in canoes, with every island represented except Lanai.
Saturday’s historic 18-mile wa’a kaukahi — or single hull canoe competition — is the main event during the extended weekend of action. The women and 40-and-over mixed crews ignite the morning, heading from Kailua Pier to Honaunau Bay. The men and mixed open crews bring it back to the finish line at Kailua Bay.
Atwood said the weather could be a factor — from strong wind to swells — but even in perfect conditions, it’s never easy.
“When the water is calm and we have our normal humidity, this is still a grueling race,” he said.
The mixed crews add a new wrinkle to the ever-evolving race and is something that has been in the works for a few years.
“In our Moku O Hawaii Association — and almost every other — there are mixed races. It’s a real popular event,” he said. “We have been toying with the idea for many years, but the logistics are what were stopping us. I expect a real good response.”
Another new addition will be live race tracking, letting spectators and fans stay up-to-the-minute with everything from statistics, speed, course placement and more. See kaiopua.org/live for more information.
Culture component
Race week has many focused on the competition, but the event is still deeply entrenched in tradition and culture.
That starts today with the a cultural walk in Kailua Village and cultural fair at the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. That will be followed by the first race of the week — the Hulakai OC4 sprint relay at Kailua Bay.
A talk story with some of the most well-known outrigger canoe paddlers takes place Friday at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. In the informal sit-down, speakers will reflect on the history of the race and outrigger canoe racing.
On Sunday, there will be even more action on the water, with teen, wa’a kaulua, OC1, OC2 and standup paddleboard races happening at Kailua Bay, starting at 7:30 a.m.
Finally, the Alii Challenge wraps up the long weekend. The event combines land and sea tasks — tied to the culture of Kailua Village — with paddling prowess. Think the Hawaii version of the Amazing Race TV show.
“We wanted to make sure that wherever people came from, they got to experience the culture in Hawaii and Kona specifically,” Atwood said. “This race is about competition, but also tradition. There’s something for everyone.”
Fingers crossed
Atwood couldn’t recall an occasion when the race was canceled in its nearly half-century of history, but didn’t have to go far back to think of a close call. Last year’s event was nearly postponed because of a stubborn lightning and thunder-filled storm cell hanging above the paddlers.
“That made us think of a plan B and contingency plans,” Atwood said.
That could include possibly moving the race to either Sunday or Monday, but more than a few fingers are crossed that it won’t come to that.
“As long as the weather permits, the race will go on,” Atwood said.