More Details to Come
brought to you by The Kai ‘Opua canoe club
What is now the World's Largest Long Distance Canoe Race was actually started in 1972 simply to fulfill a need. The race really began as 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.
Named in honor of the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili'uokalani, the first race fell on the Queen's birthday, September 2.
Since those early beginnings, the race has grown tremendously. We now are host to over two thousand five hundred paddlers from all over the world - Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Florida, California and Canada - just to name a few.
And it has grown from a one day event to four days of racing, starting with the always fun warmup - the OC4 races on Thursday. Saturday hosts the main event, the strenuous single-hull canoe races, which covers 18 miles between Kailua and Honaunau. On Sunday we feature double hull, OC1, OC2 and SUP races. And all this action is then followed up with the Kupuna Classic held on Monday - a southward & northward paddle from Kailua-Kona to Keauhou Bay for those over 50 years of age and older.
Held each year on Labor Day Weekend, the fun also includes a torchlight parade on Saturday night, and an awards luau on Sunday.
More information on qlcanoerace.com.
Course & Time
Wa'a Kaukahi (single hull canoes), 18 Miles - Our club will only participate in the Saturday 18 miles, iron, race at this time. *More information to come.
6:00 a.m. Blessing of canoes and paddlers at Kamakahonu
Wahine & Mix 50+ & Mix 60s+ Races - Kailua Bay to Honaunau Bay
7:30 a.m. - Wahine Iron crews start
7:35 a.m. - Wahine Unlimited Canoes start
7:40 a.m. - Wahine OC-9 (Escorted Divisions), Mix 50+ and Mix 60s+ Iron start, all Women's Hololo (Unofficial) Crews
Kane Races & Mix Open & Mix 40s - Honaunau Bay to Kailua Bay (start times subject to change)
11:45 a.m. - Kane Iron crews, Mix Open and Mix 40s start
11:50 a.m. - Kane Unlimited Canoes start
11:55 a.m. - Kane OC-9 - Escorted Division start, all Men's Hololo (Unofficial) Crews
Bus Shuttle Schedule for Race participants and supporters - $10.00 EACH WAY
Saturday Races Only - Race participants and supporters are REQUIRED to pre-register and pay to use the bus shuttle
8:30 am - Depart from the front of the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehemeha's Kona Beach Hotel to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau
11:30 am - Depart from Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, return to the Kailua Pier
Member Responsibilities
TBD
Race Day
Information could change last minute. Please check in with your coaches on race day.
Results will be available after each race. Please refresh the following link on race day.