Honoring Canoes

TEIVA #189

PACIFIC ISLANDER CLASS

Teiva, named after a legendary Tahitian Prince, came to our club in 2014 via Newport Aquatic Center and Hanohano Canoe Club. Teiva was built in approximately 1991-92 by Uncle Dennis Campbell. The canoe was originally purchased by Gary Vose and was used and raced by Imua outrigger club in the early to mid-90’s before being donated to NAC, who used it for training. Interestingly, the mold for the canoe was sold to Brazil and helped to start outrigger manufacturing down there. Mahalo to Kathie Jacobsen for sharing the history of Teiva with us!

KAINANI #511

BRADLEY CLASS

Kainani, which means Beautiful Sea, was originally bought in 2004 by Pale Kai OCC in Avila Beach, California. It was considered their sleekest and fastest canoe. They sold Kainani to San Diego Outrigger Canoe Club in 2010, who renamed her “Kai,” in keeping with their club tradition of having canoes with 3 letter names. Kapolioka’ehukai acquired the canoe in October of 2012 and we restored her original name during her canoe blessing. Kainani is known to be narrow and sleek with a lighter than normal ama. In 2013, she served as part of Kapolioka’ehukai’s novice wahine crew and went undefeated for their iron season.

# 511 represents the month and year our hui was established, May 2011.

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.