From the President’s Desk
DEAR OUTRIGGER CANOE CLUB ‘OHANA, I want to thank those who have tirelessly contributed to the Club’s success in 2023. It has been an honor to serve as your president and to follow in the footsteps of previous leaders of the Club.
We welcomed 198 new members in 2023, representing an increase of approximately 25 percent over 2022 and the applicant waiting list remains full. Finances are stable and our
we now have 12 additional sports sub- committees. Club Captain Billy Pratt has been re-appointed for the 2024 season and continues to take the lead on a post-COVID rebuild of both the men’s and women’s paddling programs. The Club’s philanthropic eorts have been a constant focus for the Board. To support those who have been aected by the Maui fires, we have shipped over 3,000 meals, $5,000 of beverage promotion funds and are look forward to donating nearly $10,000 to various Maui canoe clubs to help them replace paddles and equipment. OCC employees and members have put in significant volunteer hours and OCC has also adopted a park at the Ala Wai surrounding the area where our canoe practices are staged. Of course, we also continue to be partner with Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and are the primary sponsor of the Waterman’s Hall of Fame. Our food and beverage operations continue to be strong and we generated record revenue in 2023, providing jobs and benefits to over 150 dedicated employees. Our updated Logo Shop has seen higher sales, and Lana and her team generated a single day sales record of almost $20,000 on Black Friday. Finally, it should be said that all of this success would not be possible without the tireless work of our General Manager Tyler Roukema, his team, and a very engaged Board of Directors and membership. Thank you for your support and I wish you all the best in 2024.
investment balances are near record highs. To keep expenses in sync with revenue, monthly membership dues will increase across membership categories, keeping pace with increasing costs of operations. Initiation fees for new members have not materially changed in the last 10 years, so after significant study and member outreach, the Board approved new initiation fee levels that will become eective for applications received as of April 1, 2024. Our relationship with the Elks remains strong and the Board authorized a new lease extension proposal. In addition, we have established an informal alliance with Elks and Colony Surf to monitor the real eects and regulatory requirements that will aect our properties due to sea level rise and water level inundation. Maintaining the useability of our property throughout the inevitable SLR property loss is paramount to our membership and the Elks lease extension proposal. We have instituted a motto for the Club operations to be “First Class Service and World Class Facilities.” To that end, we have pursued long discussed projects including the addition of a Women’s Sauna, and renovations to the locker room hallway, Fitness Center, Logo Shop and parking lot. Work on the sea wall and a temporary wave barrier installation have also taken place, which are longer term mitigation factors meant to protect our valuable beach frontage. Our athletic programs are generally well attended and prospering. In addition to paddling,
Aloha,
Curt DeWeese, President
4 AMA | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024
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