OUTRIGGER CANOE RACES KICK OFF AUG. 30
The 42nd annual Queen Lili’uokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races starts Aug. 30 and runs through Sept. 2. The world’s largest long distance canoe race is organized and hosted by Kai Opua Canoe Club, started 1929 in Kona. The Queen’s Race attracts six-person crews from Hawaii, all throughout the US and international crews from as far away as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Cook Islands, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Tahiti and the United Kingdom. The 2013 Queen Lili’uokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races include the signature 18-mile-long distance single hull six-person canoe race for men and women crews; six-mile men and women Wa’a kaulua (double hull canoes) races; stand-up paddleboard races including a stock 3.5-mile course and an unlimited 4.5-mile course. Back for its fourth year is the Ali’i Challenge, blend of Survivor and Amazing Race, that includes a paddling distance of almost 17.5 miles followed by each crew of 12 negotiating a land course. Other Queen’s Race events include Walking Tour of Historic Kailua Village, International Paddlers Night, Torch Light Parade through Historic Kailua Village, Ocean lifestyle street fair, Queen Lili’uokalani Awards Ceremonies and a traditional Hawaiian Luau. (http://www.kaiopua.org)
