KAILUA-KONA — Crews from around the world were welcomed to the starting line of the exhilarating 18-mile long-distance canoe race in the stunning Kona waters over the weekend. On Saturday, calm conditions with a bit of a south swell greeted over 180 women and mix crews as they lined up for the start of the 50th Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race in Kailua Bay. With a clean start, within the first few minutes the women crews began to establish themselves on the course from Kailua Bay to Honaunau Bay.
With each stroke of the paddle, these athletes powered their sleek canoes through the water, racing against the clock and each other. The wind and currents can be unpredictable, and the endurance required is nothing short of extraordinary. Paddlers rely on their strength, teamwork and sheer willpower to conquer this challenging course.
This year, the women of Kai ‘Ehitu Canoe Club took the top spot in the Unlimited Female Division with a time with of 01:57:09. Crew #251 Paddlers of Laka/Ka Lahui Ka claimed first in the Iron Non Koa Open Division (meaning no crew changes) with a time of 02:04:12.
In the Iron Koa Open Division, the women from Hanalei crossed first to claim the victory with a time of 02:20:33.
At approximately 11:40 a.m., canoes with men, junior boys (ages 16 to 18) and age-group men were on the starting line at Honaunau Bay. Weather conditions remained stellar; however, with some texture on the water, good steersmen experience was critical as the men raced back eighteen miles to Kailua Bay.
With an epic three-way battle on the ocean, each of these top crews — Team Wailea, Team Oceania and Tui Tonga — had the skill and power to drive through this six-man iron race course. This year, it was Maui’s Team Wailea who claimed first in the Iron Non Koa Open Division with an impressive time of 02:03:49. This is a back-to-back win for this club with its victory last year. Team Oceania took a strong second and Tui Tonga captured third.
Maui’s Team Wailea also took first in the Unlimited Men’s Division with a time of 02:05:11.
In the men’s Iron Koa Open Division, Keauhou Canoe Club crossed first to claim the win with a time of 02:19:44.
“As Hawaii celebrates Queen Lili‘uokalani birthday, the men of Maui’s Team Wailea had an epic day and captured two wins, showing their paddling expertise,” Queen’s Race Director Mike Atwood said Saturday.
As all the crews approached the finish lines, the cheers of spectators and fellow paddlers echo in the air, spurring each paddler to reach their goal. It’s a celebration of outrigger canoe racing and the thrill of conquering one of the most grueling canoe races in the world.
The 50th Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race hosted crews from all across the globe, ranging from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Tahiti, Taiwan and USA including: Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Hawaii.
The four-day event also hosted a slew of other canoe races across the weekend, including OC4 races, OC1, OC2, teen races, and Kupuna Classic to create excitement for young and old alike.
The 50th Queen Lili‘uokalani Outrigger Canoe Races was made possible through the support of Hawaii Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program and the generous sponsorship of Kai Opua Canoe Club, Queen K Texaco, Ocean Paddler Television, Helekunihi Trust, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Hulakai and other corporate and community donors.
