The late Tony Kunimura, Kaua‘i’s Mayor in the 1980s, envisioned a sailing canoe race, which would become a significant sign of the times. “In 1985, he asked Carlos Andrade and Ted Blake to come up with something for 1987, which
The late Tony Kunimura, Kaua‘i’s Mayor in the 1980s, envisioned a sailing canoe race, which would become a significant sign of the times.
“In 1985, he asked Carlos Andrade and Ted Blake to come up with something for 1987, which was the year of the Hawaiian,” Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association president Terry Galpin said over the phone.
This morning, Kunimura’s idea begins its 19th year as the Na Holo Kai race from Hale‘iwa, O‘ahu to Po‘ipu Beach.
However, due to expected strong surf on the South Shore, the event might take a turn to another spot.
“If the surf is really big, we’re going straight to Nawiliwili,” Galpin said. “We have to think of the safety of our sailers and their canoes, but we won’t change it unless it’s going to be a significant danger to our crews.”
Galpin said the decision to move the finish line to Nawiliwili will be made tomorrow at around 7 a.m. The 100-mile race is slated to start at 8 a.m. and the first boats should be coming in at around 3 p.m.
“From first to last place could be a couple of hours,” she said. “Canoes might take different lines and that’s really cool to be out there and not see another person or land for hours.”
And Kaua‘i crews have a strong history in winning the event. The reigning champion is Kaua‘i’s Marvin Otsuji. Another Kauaian crew, Tui Tonga, headed up by Don Jones, finished in second place last year.
The Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association strives to revive, educate, practice and teach the ancient Hawaiian skills and values as it relates to the Hawaiian sailing canoe and it’s culture.
In Hawaiian, Na Holo Kai means “the traveling seas.”
The HSCA prides itself not only in its abilities to participate in this extreme sport, but also its community service.
“Fausta Manners, a woman from Hale‘iwa, where our canoes are being stored, is suffering from cancer, and is in need of help to pay medical bills,” Galpin said. “The HSCA decided to dedicate and raise money in an effort to give back to the community by way of helping Fausta.”
The organization has raised enough funds to cover her necessary medicines through December. The HSCA is also donating a portion of the entry fees to Manners.
For more information on the HSCA, check out their Web site at www.hsca.biz or call Terry Galpin at 372-8131.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
