After a successful paddling season, twelve Big Island canoe clubs are preparing to go to the state championships this weekend.
Last weekend, the Keaukaha Canoe Club hosted the Aunty Maile Moku Championship Regatta in Hilo Bay, where the club won the regatta and qualified for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship.
“All season, we’ve been working really hard in the regattas after coming out of the pandemic, and we usually never come out on top,” said coach Keahi Warfield. “This year, we won the Moku Championships for the first time in the history of the club. It was really awesome.”
After competing last weekend, Kai ‘Ehitu, Kawaihae Canoe Club, Keauhou Canoe Club, Kai Opua Canoe Club, Puna Canoe Club, Kamehameha Canoe Club, Hui Wa‘a O Waiakea, Paddlers of Laka, Na Wa‘a Hanakahi, Miloli‘i Canoe Club, and Hoemana will also be representing Hawaii Island in the state competition in Oahu this Saturday.
Experienced and new paddlers of all ages have been able to have a full season of paddling and competitions after COVID-19 caused regatta cancellations the past two years.
“Coming out of COVID, people needed this space out in the ocean again, and competition is always a good time to see people come together,” Warfield said. “We’ve had many challenges with people getting sick (and) coming to races without enough paddlers. We’re constantly dealing with that. It’s become part of our lives.”
The state championship brings top-seed crews from Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Molokai together to compete after a year of local regattas. The competition takes place in different locations each year and is divided into four divisions depending on the amount of crews in each club.
Six youth crews and six adult crews that have all qualified for the first seed in their respective competitions will represent Keaukaha on Oahu.
Quickly after competing this weekend, 13 youth paddlers from the Keaukaha club will be heading straight to London for the International Va’a Federation World Sprints, which takes place Monday, Aug. 8 through Tuesday, Aug. 16.
After making a final push for fundraising during the Moku Championships, the club was able to raise more than $70,000 to send the 13 paddlers and four chaperones to England for the prestigious competition.
“This is a huge accomplishment for everyone, and the kids will learn a lot in the process, including what it takes to set a goal and stick to it,” Warfield said. “Kids are coming from households that may not have the capacity to pay for this trip, so everyone has had to pull their weight to make it happen, just like in paddling.”
While the day inches near, the young paddlers are anticipating their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience new cultures and represent Hawaii in an international competition.
“The excitement level is through the roof. They are so thrilled and the families are, too,” Warfield said.
“It was a community effort to raise the funds, so we want to thank the community for helping us. For the kids, this will change their lives.”
While the paddlers and coaches are ready to compete in the World Sprints, Warfield hopes to be able to showcase what the youth crews accomplish every day in Hilo Bay in one of the oldest Hawaiian traditions.
“Competition is always part of what we do, but I think the broader vision, the value of what we’re accomplishing, is racing traditional Hawaiian koa canoes,” Warfield said.
“This traditional sport is about teamwork. It’s about perseverance and about revitalizing what we have left of our culture as Hawaiians, and we hope to show that on a world stage.”
For many of the 13 athletes from Keaukaha, it will be their first trip out of the country.
“It’s going to be special to see local kids compete against the world’s best after witnessing all of their effort and hard work,” Warfield said. “We’re going to give it our best shot and represent Hawaii Island and our state sport.”
Those interested in following the state championship and World Sprints can view the results on hcrapaddler.com.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com