KAILUA-KONA — The waters on the west side of the island will be a bit more populated for Labor Day weekend — as is tradition this time of year.
Hundreds of crews and thousands of paddlers from around the globe have assembled on the Big Island for the 46th edition of the Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Races. The legendary Wa’a Kaukahi men’s and women’s races are slated for Saturday, but the festivities started on Thursday and run through Monday.
The event — which is touted as the world’s largest outrigger canoe race — has grown by leaps and bounds since its humble beginnings almost half-a-century ago, expanding from a single race with a handful of crews to a full five-day slate of events.
Crews from as far as American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore are expected to take part, as well as from the U.S. mainland. Around 60 crews will be representing Hawaii.
“It’s always fun to host these people from all over and see smiles on their faces through the week,” long-time Queen Liliuokalani race director Mike Atwood said. “It’s a busy weekend, but a rewarding one.”
Upward of 250 total crews will take on the 18-mile Wa’a Kaukahi “single hull” race — the premier event of the weekend. The women start the day, paddling from Kailua Bay to Honaunau, and the men bring it back in the afternoon. Unlike a year ago, when Hurricane Lester threatened to cancel the race, organizers are expecting conditions to be favorable on Saturday.
While the races are why they gather, the culture of outrigger canoe racing is on display through the weekend.
“Not only is this a race, but it’s also a way for us to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture, which is very much linked to the canoe,” Atwood said. “That is the foundation of this sport and it is very significant to this race, in particular.”
New additions to this year’s event include the Kupuna Classic on Monday, a race for the 50-plus crowd, and the Royal Splashfest, a cannonball contest at Kailua Pier on Friday.
The inaugural Splashfest is described to be in the style of Lele Pahu — plunging feet first with a great splash.
“During one of the regattas we were watching people do cannonballs off the pier and thought it would be a good idea,” Atwood said with a laugh. “I think people will have a pretty good time doing it.”
Other highlights from the long weekend include the torchlight parade on Saturday night along Alii Drive and OC-1, OC-2, SUP and double-hull races on Sunday.
Water wings
Since winning the Iron Unlimited title at last year’s race, Kona-based Red Bull Wa’a has had a busy schedule.
Among more than a handful of solid finishes around the globe — including a victory at the Sydney Harbour Challenge in Australia — and a viral video paddling through lava-heated water on the southern coast of the Big Island, the Red Bullers have garnered attention as a major contender at most races.
Now, the crew is back in familiar waters to defend their title.
“We are getting there. Every practice, every week we are getting stronger and more fit,” Red Bull paddler Kainoa Tanoai said. “We are improving every day.”
On a campaign to build an elite crew out of Kona, a few things have changed, most notably bringing aboard top-notch coach Heiari Mama full-time, further organization and most importantly, lots of training.
“It’s always fun to race at home. It’s extra incentive to do well,” paddler Puni Freitas said. “We will see how it plays out and if the early mornings and late nights have paid off.”
While it’s always nice to win a backyard event, a title at the Queen Liliuokalani race isn’t the end goal. Instead, where Red Bull really wants to find a podium finish is in October at the Molokai Hoe.
That’s appropriate, since all those years ago when the Big Island race was organized, it was meant to be warm-up for Molokai.
“We never want to lose, but we all know this is just a stepping stone for where we want to be,” Tanoai said. “The last few weeks we have been training hard — putting in a lot of work, breaking the body down, hoping to peak for Molokai.”
That being said, seeing a quiet Kona town light up for the race is always an entertaining sight.
“This race is such a great experience for everyone involved. From the races to the parade — it’s special,” Red Bull team-member Kekoa Kau said. “It’s awesome to see everyone from all over coming to this little town to celebrate paddling. This town lights up for this.”
As far as other defending champions, the women’s field is a bit more open with the Waikiki Beach Boys women’s crews — which have won the Iron Open Non-Koa title four years running — not expected to be in the field, according to Atwood.