24th Annual Hawaii Law Enforcement Canoe Regatta - Hilo Bay, Hawaii

Last year, I covered the 23rd Annual Hawaii Law Enforcement Canoe Regatta. It is an event that takes place on different islands and was started in 1988-89, by Gilbert Gaspar Jr., an officer with the Hawaii Police Department who used to paddle canoe. Since SHOPO held their annual softball and basketball tournaments every year, he thought "why not try a canoe regatta involving law enforcement personnel?"

Gilbert got it started and hosted it for the first five years. He then decided to rotate the regatta to include the outer islands. All monies raised were donated to different charity organizations including the March of Dimes, American Heart Association and Special Olympics Hawaii. The host island decides what charity organization they would donate their proceeds to, and the regatta was set up pretty much in the same format as other HCRA (Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association) regattas. Last year, James Kahai Canario (photo top right) spearheaded this event that was held at Ke'ehi Lagoon Beach Park on Oahu, along with Lance Andersen, Nathan Palikiko-Fletcher and Jojo White from Honolulu and next year it will be the 25th Anniversary of the Hawaii Law Enforcement Canoe Regatta to be held in Kailua Kona.

This year's 24th Annual Hawaii Law Enforcement Canoe Regatta was held at Hilo Bay, Hawaii, on Saturday, February 18, 2012 and also a fundraiser for East Hawaii Special Olympics. The teams participating are the Honolulu Police Department (James Kahai Canario, Lance Armstrong and Company), Department of Public Safety (Oahu Corrections), Big Island Firemen and the Big Island Police Department. It started off with a Pule (Hawaiian prayer) by Nathan Palakiko-Fetcher and a Welcome Chant by Elizabeth Keama. At 9:25 am the distance race began followed by the sprint races.

This year's event is spearheaded by Lieutenant Darren Horio (photo above 2nd from the left) of the Hawaii Police Department (South Hilo); Hawaii Police Sergeant Rollin Rabara (Kona); Carey Uchida (photo above in red), coordinator, East Hawaii Special Olympics who was presented a check by this years event; Lori Nakashima, Special Olympics; Mr. Chris Ladera, Mr. Doug Bumatay, Puna Canoe Club and Na Wa'a Hanakahi Canoe Club. After the races, all the participants got to taste the "ono" food provided by the Hilo Motorcycle Club, "Pilau" followed by the presentation of the team awards. Team Halawa walked away with most of the awards followed by team Glen. A big mahalo to Lt. Darren Hori for the invite and my transportation between the Hilo Airport and the event. Mahalo also to boat Captain Chris Ladera for letting me tag along.

These races have been very special with a team (Team Glen) named after police officer Gilbert Gaspar's brother Glen who was fatally shot while attempting to arrest a suspect in Kapolei at the Kapolei Basket-Robbins on March 4, 2003. This event is also dedicated to all Hawaii Fallen Police Officers and most recently, Officer Garret Davis who was killed in the line of duty while attempting to help a stranded couple on the H-1 freeway on Oahu. The Hawaii Law Enforcement Canoe Racing Association (HLECRA) is an organization made up of police officers throughout the State of Hawaii. Here are some of the video and photos of Saturday's event. "Click here."