The Lobby | Happenings
Steeped in Tradition The annual canoe blessing ceremony reminds us that Kaoloa, Kakina, and Leilani are not just vessels, but symbols of the Club’s dedicaon to preserving the heritage of Hawaiian canoe racing. By Siana Hunt
Paddlers from all age divisions (there are members aged 10 to 81 on our 2024 roster), coaches and their families gathered around the canoes with a hand on each boat as Kahu Cordell blessed the wa’a and season ahead. Connecting with these racing hulls before the first regatta race of the season ties our paddlers to the past, present and future of the sport. This year, the event was even more special, as OCC’s boat builder Domie Gose joined on the beach to help commemorate the mana of our canoes. The afternoon brought a cloudless sky, and just as Kahu Cordell began the blessing, a gentle kili noe rain fell, adding a natural blessing of its own.
➳ The Club’s canoe racing program recently held a special blessing for its cherished koa canoes, Kaoloa, Kakina and Leilani. These canoes have rich history, with Kakina and Leilani crafted from prized koa logs in the 1930s, and Kaoloa built in the 1980s by Club member and renowned boat builder Joe Quigg. The Kakina and Leilani, known for their distinct designs and racing prowess, first competed in Honolulu Harbor in 1936 and Kaoloa designs advancing the sport in its own right. Over the decades, these canoes have been lovingly maintained and repaired, embodying the spirit and tradition of Hawaiian canoe racing. Still today, members paddle these historic canoes with pride, honoring their legacy and the craftsmanship that has kept them afloat for nearly a century.
10 AMA | JULY / AUGUST 2024
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