“The canoe is a vessel for the soul” ~ Rell Sunn
Hoe wa’a (outrigger canoe paddling) is a special sport, with ancient Polynesian roots in voyaging, fishing and war. Canoes were a vital part of the culture and livelihood in Hawai’i. Today they provide an amazing connection to Hawaiian history, as well as a chance to experience teamwork, dedication, and aloha on the beautiful oceans we paddle on. To dance with dolphins and grey whales as you paddle, to work in harmony with the ocean and its temperaments, to experience a sunset on the water with your ohana in an OC6 (6 person outrigger canoe) is to experience just a taste of what it means to paddle. We at Kapolioka ’ehukai are grateful for our sport, its history, and the honor to paddle.
The canoes in our ohana…
“KAWAILANI#177” (UNLIMITED CLASS)- Kawailani means the heavenly water. She was acquired in November 2022 and is our last outrigger canoe acquisition.
Kawailani#177 is in honor of Reel Sunn. In 1977, Rell became the first female lifeguard in Hawaii.
“KIAKAHI” (BRADLEY STRYKER CLASS) – Kiakahi was the second canoe in our club and was formerly named, “Paniolo” (Cowboy), by Dana Outrigger Canoe Club. Paniolo served with Dana CC from 2000 to 2011. Dana named it Paniolo, after one of their older canoes from the early 80’s. The Paniolo from the 80’s took Dana CC to top 3 finishes for 3 years in a row in the Moloka’i Hoe. Kapolioka’ehukai felt the Paniolo name should be kept within Dana CC’s legacy and properly and ceremoniously renamed him “Kiakahi” (Stand or Paddle with Purpose). “Kiakahi” was the first canoe in our fleet to earn a medal (with our novice men’s team at Santa Barbara) and the first canoe to complete our Mainland U.S. Championships, the Catalina Crossing, in 2012.
Kiakahi #50: 50 represents Aunty Rell’s birth year of 1950.
“HOKU O KAMALANI” (MIRAGE) – Hoku O Kamalani, whose name means “Guiding Star of the Child of Heaven,” was purchased new by Newport Aquatic Center from Outrigger Connection and was originally named by them Hoku O Zapata, after their tradition of including “Hoku” in their canoe names. When Kapolioka’ehukai acquired her in 2014, the decision was made to rename her in honor of Aunty Rell’s continuing legacy to include the name of her granddaughter, Kamalani, whom she never got to meet. Thus, “Hoku” – Star or Guiding Star (as in the voyaging canoe, Hokule’a), “O” – Of, “Kamalani” – Child of Heaven. Hoku O Kamalani #909: 909 represents Kamalani’s birth month and date, September 9th.
“HAKUOLE” (MALIA CLASS) – Hakuole was the first canoe in our club. She was born out of the first fiberglass molds from the first Koa canoes brought to the mainland in 1959. Uncle Al Ching of Lanikila CC helped build her and named her after one of his Hawaiian family names. His son, World Champion Paddler, Danny Ching, also carries the middle name of Hakuole. The direct translation of Hakuole is, “No Master”. Hakuole was eventually sold to Kawai’ulu O Tahoe Canoe Club in Lake Tahoe as their first canoe. As their club grew and progressed, Kapolioka’ehukai purchased Hakuole in September 2011. Hakuole now continues to serve our club as also a Memorial Canoe for our Founding members. The inside of the Mo’o (gunwales) bear the names of our loved ones that have won, lost, or still fighting their battles with cancer.
Hakuole #731: 731 represents Aunty Rell’s birth month and date. July 31.