It was a beautiful sunny day at Ke'ehi Lagoon Beach Park for the O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (OHCRA) Kahiau Ironman Race 2012 Pre-Season Long Distance Race. It was sponsored by Keahiakahoe Canoe Club, who also received a brand new Sonny Bradley Lightning canoe named "Ne'epapa" which means in Hawaiian, "to move as a whole or unit; moving or working together in unison." Kahu priest Dennis Sallas (photo above with Gilbert Silva) opened with a blessing of the new canoe before the start of the 2012 Kahiau Ironman Pre-Season Long Distance Race. Dennis greeted the paddlers with "aloha" and related that today is a beautiful day but only wished we had more wind for the paddlers. He then told an old Hawaiian story where they would go up to the mountain to choose a koa for their canoe. The koa is very sacred and they would wait for the maturity of the koa and then would pray and then choose a tree in the forest. Every time they brought one down, they would pray over it and honored the koa because it became one with the people. Granted this canoe before me is not koa, but it is the same idea and to paddle this canoe you need unity. "Ne' pepapa" means paddle in unison and in order for this wa'a (canoe) to run, you need to be together. He further related that when Hawaiians bless, they use a koa bowl and inside the bowl is pa'akai, Hawaiian salt because Hawaiians believe it brings peace. The pa'akai he has today is from Hanapepe, the island of Kauai the most valuable salt found in Hanapepe that brings iron and strength, so we bring iron and strength to this canoe. Dennis with his koa bowl in hand and tea leaf started the blessing of the new Keahiakahoe "Ne'epapa" wa'a (canoe) and asked all to join in and pray.
Gilbert Silva called on everyone and said the first race will be a little longer and "we want you guys to burn today and (clapping in the back ground) want you to feel the pain. The second race will even be more long, you know what I mean!" Now we're getting into the season for conditioning and getting ready for the regatta coming up. In closing, Gilbert thanked all for participating in today's race.
Just some information about the Keahiakahoe Canoe Club. The Keahiakahoe Canoe Club was founded in 1995 and is located in Kahalu'u on the island of O'ahu, Hawaii. The mission of the club is to engage in activities to support and preserve the ancient sport of Hawaiian Canoe Paddling and perpetuate the cultural values of caring for the land and the ocean. Information provided by Keahiakahoe Canoe Club. Read more "click here." At this time, I want to thank Gilbert Silva and the (OHCRA) Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, and the Keahiakahoe Canoe Club for the opportunity to cover this event. Special thanks to 1st Vice President Clinton "Lapule" Schultz for keeping me updated on the race data and to Race Director, Stan Dickson. Video and photos of today's event "click here." More photos to be added later.
