From the President’s Desk
MAHALO NUI LOA for the honor and privilege of serving as your President this past year.
• Strengthened our community connections with our new Community Engagement subcommittee, stronger collaboration with the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF), and ongoing conversations with our Elks Lodge neighbors about areas of mutual interest including our lease and sea level rise. Through all this, we’ve continued to foster the spirit that makes Outrigger Canoe Club a beloved home for us all. Thanks to prudent financial oversight, we maintained stable financial infrastructure with healthy reserves to support our beloved campus while maintaining sustainable cashflow from operations. This includes managing costs when needed to mitigate the impacts of reduced Club usage during the parking structure project as well as unanticipated restrictions on beach access for monk seals. For 2025, we have developed a balanced budget despite inflationary pressures, keeping dues increases modest while carefully managing expenses. I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated Board, Committee and subcommittee chairs, General Manager Tyler Roukema, and our incredible staff and volunteers—your contributions make all of this possible. As I pass the torch to Art Mallet, your new President, I am confident in his leadership and dedication to the Club. Art has served as President Elect this past year, on the Board for five years, and as the Club’s Treasurer. Mahalo nui loa for your steadfast support over this past year. Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful New Year filled with aloha.
As we approach January 29, we conclude the 2024 Year of the Wood Dragon. The Wood element represents growth and renewal, while the Dragon embodies boldness and dynamic energy. True to these qualities, 2024 was a year of remarkable progress, rejuvenation, and bold initiatives at our Club. Together, we:
• Welcomed 195 new members, in line with last year, and have a waitlist of 129 applicants, up 41 from last year. • Advanced significant capital improvement projects, including those for our parking garage, landscaping, and Logo Shop. athletic strategic plan, with high-performing boys’ indoor and girls’ beach volleyball teams, and junior through senior paddling teams which grew by 55 participants, up 18%, year-over-year. • Celebrated our beach volleyball heritage by hosting our first-ever beach volleyball showcase on Outrigger Canoe Club’s “beach” in front of the Snack Shop, honoring the sport’s origin in 1915 when George “Dad” Center, our Club’s then-head paddling coach, introduced volleyball to the sand at our original Waikīkī location. • Enhanced our competitive athletic programs pursuant to a newly created • Produced updated new member and volunteer orientation videos, describing the Club’s history, offerings, governing structure and volunteer committee opportunities.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Click links here in the digital issue to see the new videos
Emily Su-lan Reber Porter, President, Outrigger Canoe Club
4 AMA | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2025
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