Keoua Canoe Club presents it’s 40th annual Mac-A-Thon 5k &10k race
The Big Island’s oldest annual 5k &10k race, as well as the Island’s only barefoot footrace, will take place Saturday April 8, 2023 at 7 a.m. Don’t miss our famous Mac-Nut pancake breakfast, entertainment and silent auction!
Keoua Canoe Club’s annual Mac-A-Thon 5K &10K Race is one of two major fundraisers of the year, the proceeds of which help support various community programs. Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club is one of the oldest canoe clubs in Hawai‘i. We are a 501(c)3 organization that is governed by a board of 13 directors who bring to all of our work a deep understanding of the values and traditions of the community that we serve.
Keoua was founded in 1974 and our mission is “to perpetuate the ancient art and culture of Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling as traditionally practiced on historic Honaunau Bay; to develop community awareness and interest in the traditional and cultural heritage of the native Hawaiians; to promote and encourage the identification, preservation and appreciation of historical, cultural, and archaeological sites and artifacts within the State of Hawai’i, especially in Kona, Hawai‘i.”
The activities undertaken by Keoua, however, go far beyond the core mission. Keoua’s programs promote environmental awareness; Hawaiian cultural concepts of family (‘ohana), cooperation (laulima) and making things right (ho‘oponopono); and include instruction in Hawaiian language associated with traditional outrigger canoe paddling, construction, operation, maintenance, and repair.
Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club is especially dedicated to serving its youngest members through a well-developed youth program, which has served more than 1,000 community youth over the years of the program’s operation.
Keoua has also been a community leader in the areas of ahupua’a management &marine resource protection, working in partnership with state and federal agencies to bring more awareness to the importance of reef and marine mammal protection in Honaunau Bay, an area heavily visited by tourists and local families from around the island.
Other club activities have included local trail and site restoration projects, major fundraising campaigns for needy families and families in crisis, providing a site and canoes for memorial services for local families, and mentoring youth in crisis through inclusion in various club activities. We are very grateful for the outpouring of community support for this event.
Find out more, maka a donation and register for the race online at www.keouacanoeclub.com.
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