KAILUA-KONA — The 50th annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race, the world’s largest long distance outrigger canoe race, is slated for Labor Day Weekend — starting Thursday, Aug. 31 and concluding Monday, Sept. 4.
An estimated 2,500 paddlers will take part in the event, which will follow the end of the HCRA paddling season.
1972
The race’s origins can be traced back to 1972.
What started as one-day training for the Molokai to Oahu canoe race has grown into the world’s largest outrigger canoe race — with four days of racing.
Race founder Mary Jane Kahanamoku noted in a 1999 interview that the race started around her kitchen table with her husband Louis, as they talked about the training course and divisions. They prepared a proposal to present to then Kai Opua Canoe Club Board of Directors, who readily agreed.
Early years
The first Queen Lili‘uokalani 18-mile canoe race was for men only, and attracted eight crews who paddled from Kealakekua Bay to the Kailua Pier. The following year, race organizers opened the race for women — with the women’s race starting at Kailua Bay and finishing in Honaunau Bay.
After a visit to Tahiti, the Kahanamoku’s were introduced to double-hull canoe racing — and they later persuaded the Kai Opua Canoe Club to add this event, in which two single hull canoes are lashed together to create the double hull canoes.
Today, this much loved event named Wa‘a Kaulua is a weekend favorite, and attracts crowds in Historic Kailua Village as crews race a total of five miles starting and ending at Kailua Pier.
Honoring a queen
Named in honor of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Lili‘uokalani, the first long distance outrigger canoe 50 years ago was planned around the Queen’s birthday on Sept. 2.
Born in 1838, Queen Lili‘uokalani ruled from 1891 until the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom on January 17, 1893. Her perseverance through some of Hawaii’s most challenging times in history are still sung today with mele (song) compositions she composed including “Aloha ‘Oe” and “Queen’s Jubilee.”
In 1909, Queen Lili‘uokalani established a trust in perpetuity dedicated to the welfare of orphaned Hawaiian children, the preference given to Native Hawaiian children. The Lili‘uokalani Trust oversees her legacy today.
Throughout the five-day Labor Day holiday weekend, a slew of other canoe races including OC4 races, OC1, OC2, Teen races, and Kupuna Classic create excitement for young and old alike.
Fun and educational events during the holiday weekend include a historic Kailua Village cultural walk, talk story time, a cultural fair featuring artisans and cultural practitioners, a torchlight parade along Alii Drive and the Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race luau.
The 50th Queen Lili‘uokalani Outrigger Canoe Races is made possible through the support of Hawaii Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program and the sponsorship of Kai Opua Canoe Club, Queen K Texaco, Ocean Paddler Television, Helekunihi Trust, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Hulakai and numerous corporate and community donors.
For event information, visit qlcanoerace.com
