Jerome Kanuha knows that some people were unhappy that the start of the Wahine Marlin Fishing Tournament was changed to accommodate Saturday’s Keliipoaimoku Keiki Long Distance Canoe race in Kailua Bay.
And Kanuha, whose father started the race 28 years ago, isn’t about to apologize for it.
Referring to a letter by Capt. Chuck Owens published in Saturday’s West Hawaii Today, Kanuha defended the decision to move the start of the largest women’s fishing tournament in the world in favor of the paddling race.
“I think we should continue it,” Kanuha said. “(Owens) wrote that the Wahine billfish tournament was more important than the keiki race. … It’s not more important than a keiki race.”
Kanuha also disputed Owens’ claim that the fishing tournament should take precedent over the canoe race because it has brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to the community.
“It has nothing to do with (bringing) money in this community,” Kanuha said. “It’s about promoting the culture of who we are. The kids are our future. Fishing is every day, not keiki races.”
A half-dozen clubs on the western side of the island participated in the event, which was started by Clement Keliipoaimoku Kanuha Sr.
“About 29 years ago, he had a bunch of family members get together,” Kanuha said. “He felt that it was important to have kids canoe racing instead of the adults because you start from the bottom. Keiki are really important to promote the culture of this sport.”
Kanuha said that his grandfather started Kai Opua Canoe Club in 1950 and continues to sponsor the race, in which teams in a range of age groups paddle the 2-3-mile course. He was pleased with the turnout of about 120 keiki.
“That’s pretty good for a little race for the clubs on this side of the island,” he said.