Kawailani Long Distance Canoe Race - Sponsored by "Windward Kai Canoe Club 2011"

The Windward Kai Canoe Club was the sponsor for this weekend's "Kawailani Long Distance Canoe Race" on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Ke'ehi Lagoon and has been actively participating in outrigger canoe racing for over thirty five years. They are also one of the original founding members of the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a canoe association. I spoke to Henry Palakiko (photo top left) , President of the Windward Kai Canoe Club and he related that this year marks Hui Wa'a’s 38th regatta season.

Henry recalls when the club had only 41 members and back then was called the "Over Night Club." They pulled out of the Waimanalo canoe club and decided to form their own club and started the Windward Kai Canoe Club in 1973. Back then, Henry was Mr. all around, father, head coach, race director, officer and one of the original co-founders of the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a Association. They only had 6-7 canoe clubs and in 1990 Henry took over as the President of the Windward Kai Canoe Association. Today the Head Coach of the Windward Kai Canoe Club is Derrell Demello (photo top right) and the President of the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a Canoe Club is Samanath Moikeha, VP Shannon Kaaekuahiwi.

I would like to thank President Henry Palakiko of the Windward Kai Canoe Club, Head Coach Derrell Demello and Race Director George Waikaloa for the arrangements on one of their boats to do the photo shoots and President of the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a Canoe Club, Samantha Moikeha, V.P., Shannon Kaaekuahiwi for the opportunity to be part of their event and canoe race. "Click" here to see today's photos