“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 (“heavenly water”) #177 was acquired as our first unlimited class canoe in November 2022. She is a Puakea Malolo, designed by Johnny Puakea in Maui and built by Outrigger Zone. #177 signifies the year Rell Sunn became the first female lifeguard in Hawaii in 1977.
HOLO O MOANA (“ocean voyage”) #198 is an Ares Matahina (unlimited class) canoe, built as one of five trial racing versions used by the Tahitian international racing crew in the Catalina Crossing race in 2024 before being acquired by our club. #198 signifies the year of Rell Sunn’s passing in January 1998.
HOKU O KAMALANI (“guiding star of the child of heaven”) #909, a Mirage class canoe, was purchased from the Newport Aquatic Center and was originally named Hoku O Zapata. When Kapolioka’ehukai acquired her in 2014, she was renamed to honor Aunty Rell’s continuing legacy by naming it after her granddaughter Kamalani, whom she never got to meet. #909 represents Kamalani’s birthday, September 9th.
KIAKAHI (“stand or paddle with purpose”) #50, a Bradley Stryker class canoe, was the second canoe in our club, acquired in 2012 from Dana CC who paddled it under the name of Paniolo from 2000-2011. Dana named it after one of their older canoes from the early 80’s which took Dana CC to top 3 finishes for 3 years in a row in the Moloka’i Hoe. To keep the Paniolo name within Dana CC’s legacy, we changed the name to 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. #50 represents Aunty Rell’s birth year 1950.
HAKUOLE (“no master”) #731, a Malia class canoe, was the first canoe in our club, purchased in September 2011. She was born out of the fiberglass molds made from the first Koa canoes brought to the mainland in 1959. Uncle Al Ching of Lanikila CC helped build her and gave her one of his Hawaiian family names, which was also the middle name of his son, World Champion Paddler Danny Ching. Hakuole was eventually sold to Kawai’ulu O Tahoe Canoe Club in Lake Tahoe as their first canoe. Hakuole now continues to serve our club as 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 are still fighting their battles with cancer. Hakuole is owned by one of our founding members, but is honorary member of our club and shares a spot on our beach. #731 represents Aunty Rell’s birthday, July 31.