Keaukaha Canoe Club - Hilo Hawaii Paddling Club on the Big Island

Our States crew scrapped for every point in Maui and we tied in our division for First Place. HCRA had their big annual meeting and they presented us with our trophy as they did not expect our two-way tie for first with Kilohana Hoe and had to make a new one for us.

Mahalo nui loa to everyone who supported those 6 crews who managed top seeding in the states. It takes a strong unified community to put together such a powerful showing at States from our kids to the Kupuna racers.

States for 2026 will be back in O’ahu which is more accessible and has a more level race course and should allow us to compete with many more crews in a bigger division. Stay hungry!

Get a Wa’a

With one-man season gearing up and High School regattas starting soon, it’s time to think about getting serious. Both Jose and Keahi have some great equipment for sale, so check them out and contact us if you need to get a hold of them.

• Ares $3,000 (Jose)
• Drako $4,000 (Jose)
• V1’s of various types (Keahi)

And for those of you ready to lose the “training wheels” talk to Keahi about picking up a V1.

HCRA Changes

HCRA is trying to modernize some. They have updated their website and are going to implement electronic waivers statewide. We don’t know how this is all supposed to quite work yet but we’ll all figure it out together.

Club Updates

We are trying to put together a comprehensive 2026 schedule from major international paddling events to our club activities so we can all prepare together better.

In that spirit, there is now a bulletin board in the back area of the Hālau to help us communicate activities with each other – old school style. Feel free to post items of club interest – photos, activities, etc.

Don’t forget OC1 stall rentals roll over in February and renewals will open in January after we understand what to do with the waiver situation.

Some things to look forward to include hosting both a regatta AND a long distance race. We are still working on the details but it would be a club first. Also we will likely be hosting one or two big fundraisers

This seasons goal is to raise funds for wa’a repairs and if we do well enough, get a few new wa’a as well. Right now we are pretty broke after the Hālau rebuild but we’re coming back strong for 2026.

As usual we can always benefit from new paddlers, so encourage family and friends to come join us on the water this season. Just have them go to our contact page in Feb/March and we’ll help get them going.

Na Wahine o Ke Kai

After a long drought, we had our first womens crew paddle in the Na Wahine o Ke Kai 2025 in many years. It was a combined effort with help from Kai ‘Opua who had already made some arraignments but most of their paddlers dropped out, so our women teamed up with them and got 4th in their division and 42 overall. Amazing work in some lively conditions.

Here’s their GPS replay in 200x speed with our heros highlighted.

Full results: https://www.pseresults.com/2025-events/na-wahine-o-ke-kai-2025

Crew List: https://www.khon2.com/na-wahine-o-ke-kai/list-meet-the-crews-of-na-wahine-o-ke-kai-2025/

Moloka’i Hoe

Under lighter wind conditions we saw 4 of our men’s crews battle it out following in the wake of the Nā Wāhine. There was some intense competition from some of the best paddlers in the world with the top crew OPT breaking into the top 10 of fastest crossing times.

• Men Open #87 in Micah Wai’oli – 6th Overall
• Men Open #88 in Kuamo’okane – 17th Overall
• Men 55+ #14 in Wailani – 62nd Overall (Division 2nd Place)
• Men 40 #18 in Mio – 73rd Overall (Division 9th)

Here’s their GPS track with all 4 crews highlighted.

Results: https://www.pseresults.com/2025-events/molokai-hoe-2025

Crews (not entirely accurate): https://www.khon2.com/molokai-hoe/list-meet-the-crews-of-molokai-hoe-2025

Mahalo Nui Supporters

All you supporters out there made a big difference. We will be having the raffle and ordering the jerseys soon – standby. If you still want to contribute all the funds will go towards 2026 and we have some great prizes on the raffle too.

Reboot 2026

Training never stops. OC1 season is gearing up and its critical to use this time to get in shape and tune up.

Let’s get out on the water to prep for 2026.

• Halloween Zombie Fun Race 24th of October is a short 2 races full of fun costumes and paddling. https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=408337
• Nov 22 is the Abbot Galaher Seaman Race – nothing like burning extra calories around this time of year. Get out there and go.

The 2026 HIPA schedule should be out soon. https://hipa.clubexpress.com/

Now that’s a confusing title but it got you here.

Tsunami Warnings

Mahalo nui to those who helped protect our canoes from a possible tsunami on Tuesday. Most of the world was spared from tidal waves from that huge release of energy in one of the biggest recorded earth quakes in history. It’s important to remember that material things are not as important as people, so don’t put yourself in harms way unnecessarily. And when it comes to tsunamis it’s best to ignore the skeptics and find higher ground for the duration. Fortunately we have the NOAA warning network with excellent analysis, sensors and simulations to provide accurate timely warnings. Check out the video re-creation based on live buoy data.

1st Place In State Division A

On Aug. 2, 6 crews with number 1 seeds went to Maui to compete at Hanaka’ō’ō Beach. There were on-shore breaking waves all day but most of the course was protected from the strong winds. However there was a strong rip tide running all through the course making for challenging steering especially for non-local crews.

There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that it takes the whole club pulling together to help propel these 6 crews to represent all of us at States. We fielded the M70, M65, W18, Mfr, Mjr and M55. It’s no easy feat to qualify for States and it’s not a cheap endeavor for crews or our club. All our crews trained hard and did a fantastic job at states in Division A.

We finished the regatta with 71 points, tying with a local club for first place. Full results here.

Congratulations to Zoe, one of our youth paddlers, who qualified for a $1,000 scholarship from HCRA based on an essay contest. Each year HCRA holds an essay contest for youth paddlers and the odds are good, so all you 18 and under paddlers submit one.

Dragon Boats in Hilo

Every 2 years Hilo hosts the Haarii Boat Festival and they need some steersmen to help out. They tend to provide some donations to clubs that help them. So if you’re interested, sign up and help them. There’s a practice day Aug. 15th and the race day is Aug. 16th. By all accounts from previous races volunteers have a great time an you typically only need to steer about 3 events.

Please contact Grant to assist:
Grant T. Miyashiro
Co-chair, 2025 Haarii Boat Festival
📧 gtmiyashiro@gmail.com
📞 (914) 721-0393

Jersey Pickup 4/23 4pm-6:30pm

The first round (ordered prior to 3/16/25) of jerseys are here. They will be distributed 4/23 at 4pm to 6:30 pm at the Hālau. Please come get your stuff!

We have a 2nd round of orders going if you missed it. Order now: https://keaukahacanoeclub.com/store

5K Fun Run

Big thanks to all our early-bird volunteers who showed up and made this event happen. It was our first time doing this and organizing a 5K run on the land, but everyone had fun. The start photo says it all. And yes, we have an IG account now @keaukahacc53

Next year we’ll start planning earlier and be better equipped now that we know more about running this event. Expect more fun and more run.

Hālau – Mahalo to All of You

I (Eric) was personally overwhelmed with the outpouring of gratitude and couldn’t speak at the blessing. So had I found my composure, this is what I would have said.

When people ask about our club, I tell them we are more like an ‘Ohana than anything else. We are de-centralized and a bit chaotic at times, but we do our best. We have a wide range of characters and we all try to come together on the land and in the water to make us all better as a team and individuals. You can train to become a super competitive paddle-warrior. You can come out just to enjoy the company, culture, and ocean. Or, like most of us, do both of those things. And like a family we strive to be accepting and do our best to be fair. With all those moving different parts, somehow things always seem to get done.

Much like the large lei we wove together from all variations of ti leaves, we try to find unity and purpose together from a variety of parts. We recognize none of us are perfect but perhaps we can all find ways to be better together.

“Be curious, not judgemental.”

Marguerite and Marshall Shearer

“Be curious, not judgmental” encourages us to approach people, situations, and even ourselves with openness and inquiry instead of criticism and assumptions.

Being judgmental means jumping to conclusions, labeling others, or dismissing them without trying to understand their story.

Being curious means asking why, being willing to listen, learn, and understand before forming an opinion.

Keola and I were fortunate to have a lot of supporters and helpers. It’s almost impossible to thank everyone individually as literally 100’s helped out from donations to sweat and blood.

Let’s make 2025 another great season!

2025 is here! Before you can paddle, you must sign your paperwork and pay dues. Login and get it done. If you don’t have an account, go to the contact page and let us know you want to get started.

Keiki Schedule:

UPDATE May 13 – 9 year old and under is suspended.

Practice is splitting up by age groups for better individual focus. Here’s the new schedule.

Friday – All ages 3:30 – 5pm

M/W – Ages 10 – 14  3:30 – 5pm

T/TH – Ages 15 – 18 3:30 – 5pm

• 12 and Up: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 3:30pm to 5pm
• 11 and Under: Friday 3pm to 4pm Update 3/21: Suspended until further notice. 10 and up may attend Monday, Tues, Thursday practices.

Adult Schedules

Schedule last update: 3/18 – check back for changes

WAHINE

START MARCH 3 (except Novice 3/10)

• Open/40’s/50’s/60’s – (Keahi) M/T/TH 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm
• 65’s/70+ – (Lloyd) 9 am Wednesday (subject to change)
• Novice A/B – START 3/10 (Eric H./Clem) Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4:45 pm

KANE

START MARCH 3, (except Novice 3/11)

• Open/40’s – (Kama) Monday (oc1/run), Wednesday, Thursday 4:30 pm
• 50/55/60 – (Grant) Tuesday (4:45 PM), Thursday (4:45 PM), Sunday 1:00 PM
• 65/70+ – (Mike) Monday, Wednesday, Friday (3pm – 4:30pm)
• Novice A/B – (Kwai-Chang) START 3/11, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 4:30pm.

Changes for 2025

Rules for paddles have been changed for our island only but are still under debate. Expect only wooden paddles to be accepted when racing Koa canoes in an HCRA event.

Mix 55 has been eliminated from States, however that race will still be run for our island.

Division 10-12 years old has been added along with moving 70’s race to the morning event.

Regatta starts will be similar to IVF Sprint rules of a pre-start line and a raised black flag if the crew is over the the line.

2025 Race Schedule

There are lots of long distance races this season.

https://hcrapaddler.com/desktop_content.php?action=schedule&year=2025

JERSEY ORDERS

Kids and Adults jerseys will be like last season. However to save on shipping we will make a bulk order – so all 2025 Jerseys will be PICKUP – NO SHIPPING. Your orders MUST BE PLACED BY MARCH 15.

SHOP NOW:

https://keaukahacanoeclub.com/store

The 2025 season for KOYD paddlers is now open for signup. March 1 is the official start date. Practices will run 3:30pm to 5pm with days split up depending on the turnout for divisions.

If you’re under 18, your parents need to fill out the forms for you.

https://keaukahacanoeclub.com/keiki/

Please help spread the word about the signup and start date!

Mahalo

On February 5, 2025 at 4:30pm the Novice B and Novice A paddlers need to meet at the Keaukaha Hālau to start planning for the season.

New paddlers (Novice B), please use our contract form https://keaukahacanoeclub.com/contact to get an account started to do your paperwork and dues. ALL paddlers must be a paying member to use the club canoes.

Kwai-Chang is your coach again this year and if you have any specific questions contact him or use our website’s contact form.

Looking for a faster OC1?

$3,200 – Light layup, good condition.

Contact Chad or ask here https://keaukahacanoeclub.com/contact

Looking to upgrade? Contact Norbert cell 808-756-6249 or go through our contact page.

OC1 – Kamanu Pueo

• Forward footwell
• Team layout
• Weight 17.39 lbs
• Purchased new in April 2019 for $5117
• Includes canvas cover ($360 new)

Thule Truck Rack

Thule truck rack was purchased in Hilo for about $600 around 2010. I have all of the original parts that came with it.