Calvin Kelekolio’s Long Distance Race Results 2015

The 29th Annual Calvin Kelekolio Long Distance Outrigger Race challenged men, women and mixed crews from all around the Big Island with hot and relatively flat conditions in one of the most beautiful courses in the paddling series. Results are as followed:

Junior’s Race

  1. Keoua (29:09)
    Crew: Makayla Green, Dylan Green, Kaniala Wright-Barboza, Kamalani Stegehuis, Shantae Hardy, Mele Spencer

Men’s Division

Koa

  1. Kai E Hitu (1:15:25)
    Crew: Justin Nitta, Peter Ebaniz, Lowen Luta, Dan Mersburgh, Joe, Meheula, Alton Kaono

Unlimited

  1. Puna (1:06:57)
    Crew: Zachary Judd, Jeremy P, Kai`ea Cann, Jonah Kalima, Kekoa Sumera-Lee, Lance Oliveira
  2. Laka-SurfPark (1:09:20)
  3. Laka (1:12:00)

Open

  1. Kai E Hitu (1:09:47)
    Crew: Ina Yniques, Keola Dudoit, Steve Longballa, Brawn Albino, Kawika Leicher, Eddie Hayward
  2. Keauhou (1:09:56)
  3. Keauhou (1:12:32)

Master 40’s

  1. Kai O Pua (1:14:54)
    Crew: Brian Cornel, Paul Sullivan, John Husa, Paul Streuter, Daniel Legler, Sean Ingram)

Master’s 50

  1. Puna (1:10:52)
    Crew: Louie Mendonca, Troy Parker Bakey, Kevin,Terry Andrade, Bubba, Afa
  2. Keauhou (1:15:11)
  3. Kai E Hitu (1:15:18)

Master’s 60

  1. Kai O Pua (1:24:07)
    Crew: Robert Chip, Nolan Chock, Michael Cron,Lorrie Hilderbrand, Ian Wilson, Stephen Quitevis)
  2. Waikoloa (1:27:53)

Mixed Divisions

Koa

  1. Keoua (1:23:20)
    Crew: Shannon Velazquez, Ariel Velazquez, Mel Kadohiro, Cindy Galieto, Gretchen Ramierez, Rafael Ramierez

Open

  1. Kawaihae (1:11:04)
    Crew: JR Lai, Victoria Brooke, Jonathan Salvador, Kalani Kaniho, Brandie Dye, Tricia Tom
  2. Kai O Pua (1:13:09)
  3. Kawaihae (1:14:04)

Women’s Divisions

Koa

  1. Kai E Hitu (1:20:14)
    Crew: Richelle Anderson, Tifani Stegehuis, Sophia Benacquista, Kealoha Kam, Michelle Thurna, Kristy Hardy

Unlimited

  1. Puna (1:10:00)
    Crew: Alana Cabatu, Harriet Parsons, Michelle Padayao, Lauren Rusert, Shawna Sherlock, Sue O’Shaunassy
  2. Keoua (1:12:12)
  3. Kamehameha (1:22:19)

Open

  1. Kai E Hitu (1:13:17)
    Crew: Darcy Daniel, Leann Alani, Erika Tadio, Nicola Fernandez, Veronique Poli, Jan Kekua-Spencer
  2. Kai O Pua (1:17:17)
  3. Puna (1:18:15)

Novice

  1. Kai Opua (1:25:55)
    Crew: Marion Baugham, Jen Wingad, Cristina Pineda, Christine Kneapsey, Amy Lewis, Jan Baldado
  2. Keoua (1:28:09)

Master 40’s

  1. Puna (1:11:53)
    Crew: Jolene Hughes, Sheila Cadaos, Jennifer Tanner, Loke Andrade, Miri Sumida, Julaine Keamo
  2. Keauhou (1:16:37)
  3. Keauhou (1:21:16)

Master 50’s

  1. Waikoloa (1:19:49)
    Crew: Diana Temple, Barbara Haight, Catherine Brind, Rami Ring, Debby Ciambrone, Jade Bowman
  2. Kawaihae (1:20:30)
  3. Kamehameha (1:20:30)

Master 60’s

  1. Kai O Pua (1:24:30)
    Crew: Sue Lalanne, Barbara Prestia, Pam Kirby, kris Hazard, Marianne Starr, Sue Bender
  2. Waikoloa (1:32:32)
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Hale O Keawe

1886 watercolor by Robert C. Barnfield

1886 watercolor by Robert C. Barnfield

Overlooking Honaunau Bay is the iconic traditional structure Hale O Keawe, now part of Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park. Genealogies and mo‘olelo indicate that Hale o Keawe was likely built either by or for Keawe-i-kekahi-ali‘i-o-ka-moku around A.D. 1700.

At that time, it served as a royal mausoleum, housing the remains of deified high chiefs, whose powerful mana, which lived on with the remains, served to sanctify the Pu‘uhonua.

In 1829 Queen Ka‘ahumanu ordered the removal of the remaining bones and the complete deconstruction of the temple. The platform itself survived until high surf, including at least two tsunamis in 1868 and 1877, caused extensive damage.

Restored in 1966–1967, with additional restoration work done most recently in 2004, the Hale O Keawe and the carved wooden ki‘i that surround it stand as testament to the cultural and spiritual significance of the site. As we paddle our canoes past Hale O Keawe, the juxtaposition of this prominent image of ancient Hawai‘i, and our daily, modern practice of the culture of the wa’a, serves to inspire and encourage our efforts to honor and perpetuate the cultural legacy of Honaunau.

To help tell the story of Hale O Keawe, we looked to the writings of John Papa ʻĪʻI, a 19th century educator, politician and historian and subject of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He became an attendant of Kamehameha I and  a companion and personal attendant to Liholiho, who later became King Kamehameha II. He also served as the general superintendent of Oahu schools, a member of the Treasury Board and the Board of Land Commissioners, and Speaker of the House of Nobles. His series of 1866–1870 articles in the Hawaiian Language Newspaper Ka Nupepa Ku‘ooko‘a were translated and re-published in 1959 and have provided invaluable insights into Hawaiian culture during a period of great significance in the Hawaiian Kingdom.

In his words, “The Hale O Keawe in Honaunau was called Ka-iki-ʻAlealea (The little ʻAlealea,) and was a puʻuhonua. Kaikiholu and Pakaʻalana on Hawaii, Kakaʻe in ʻIao, Maui; Kūkaniloko in Wahiawa, Oʻahu; and Holoholoku in Wailua, Kauaʻi, were also places to which one who had killed could run swiftly and be saved.”

“The person whose writing this is often went about them, including the Hale O Keawe. He has seen this house (hale ʻaumakua iwi) where the bones were deposited, standing majestically on the left (or south) side of Akahipapa.”

“The house stood by the entrance of a wooden enclosure, with door facing inland towards the farming lands of South Kona.”

“The heir to the kingdom entered the Hale O Keawe during his journey around to the various luakini heiau of Kanoa in Hilo, Wahaʻula in Puna, and Punaluʻu in Kaʻū. The journey began in Kailua, thence to Kawaihae and from there on around the island to the Hale O Keawe.“

“The appearance of the house was good. Its posts and rafters were of kauila wood, and it was said that this kind of timber was found in the upland of Napu’u. It was well built, with crossed stems of dried ti leaves, for that was the kind of thatching used.”

“The appearance inside and outside of the house was good to look at. The compact bundles of bones (pukuʻi iwi) that were deified (hoʻokuaʻia) were in a row there in the house, beginning with Keawe’s near the right side of the door by which one went in and out, and going to the spot opposite the door (kuʻono).”

“At the right front corner of the house where the unwrapped bones of those who had died in war, heaped up like firewood. In that pile of bones were the bones of Nahiolea, father of M Kekūanāoʻa. The person whose writing this is saw his own father remove his tapa shoulder covering and place it on a bundle among the other bundles of bones. He must have asked the caretaker about all of them and their names, and they were told to him. That was why he did so.”

“When the writer saw his father doing this he asked, ‘Have we a near kinsman in this house?’ His father assented. There are some people who have relatives in this house of ‘life’, but perhaps most of them are dead. The chiefs were descended from Hāloa and so were their retainers (kauwa kupono). The chiefs were born, such as Lono-i-ka-makahiki and Kama-lala-walu and so on down, and so were the retainers (i.e., the junior members of the family.)”

“After the chief ʻIolani (Liholiho) had finished his visit to the house, a pig was cooked and the gathering sat to worship (hoʻomana) the deified persons there. When that was done, the chief and those who went in with him ate together. After the eating was over, the kapu was removed. The travellers left the Hale O Keawe and sailed by canoe, landing at Kamakahonu in Kailua in the evening. There they met Kamehameha. That must have been in the year 1817.”

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Kawaihae LD Race

Congratulations to all our paddlers for an outstanding performance on Saturday’s long distance race @ Kawaihae. Our Open Koa Women’s crew paddled “Ka’ahumanu” to a First Place in their division and 8th. overall in a field of 30 canoes. Our Open Koa Men followed with a respectable Fourth Place finish in their division; while our Mixed 40s crew paddled our Bradley, “Pae’a”, to a First Place in their division. For all the results go to: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/sports/local-sports/kawaihae-canoe-club-long-distance-race-may-9

You can also see photos at: https://www.facebook.com/KeouaCanoeClub/posts/876375282422278?comment_id=876711095722030&offset=0&total_comments=17&notif_t=feed_comment

Mahalo Akua for such a beautiful day in the water and to all our paddlers and supporters for all the little things that make it all come together. We now begin the regatta season with the Papa Kimitete Regatta in Kailua on May 16, so train hard and have fun!

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34th Annual Mac-A-Thon Results

Aloha and Happy Easter to all:
You can access the results of yesterday’s race at:
http://jtltiming.com/running.htm
Mahalo to all our sponsors, supporters, volunteers and most of all, the runners, for making this the biggest Mac-A-Thon ever! There are also photos posted at: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/103634116815919814413/albums/6141437499570018049?authkey=CI7lh8bkufDccw

 

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2015 Welcome

Aloha mai kakou!

We extend a heartfelt welcome to all our paddlers, young and old, novice and experienced, as we begin our 2015 season. Our first week of practice began with many familiar and new faces coming together to pule and acknowledge our kupuna, those who came before us and made it imperative for us to malama such a culturally significant and spiritual place. Mahalo Akua for the blessings of ‘ohana, for our health, for the beauty and abundance of our ‘aina, and for the aloha that we share paddling our sacred waters.

Please visit the Join Keoua and About Keoua pages of our website for registration & waiver forms, our 2015 Paddlers’ Handbook, canoe etiquette, history, 2015 race schedule and more!

While training and conditioning for a rigorous competitive schedule –close to 20 races between May and October – we have several other events and activities on our calendar.

First of these is our 34th Annual Mac-A-Thon 5K & 10K Race on Saturday, April 4th in Honaunau. This is one of our major fundraisers and requires the participation of all our members and supporters in soliciting donations for our silent auction, clean-up of the race course between Honaunau & Napo‘opo‘o, preparing individual race packets, race registration & timing, set-up and decoration of our stage area, preparing/serving our delicious pancake breakfast to all entrants, and handing out awards.

At some point before the Mac-A-Thon, we will have a brief, informal blessing of our club’s first canoe, Keoua, which, after more than 40 years of faithful service, was completely restored by our kalaiwa‘a, Kurtis Yamauchi. Our canoes are integral members of our ‘ohana and it is befitting that we honor and care for our distinguished elders.

Keoua, a Malia-class fiberglass canoe, was one of 10 canoes purchased by the County of Hawai‘i in the early ‘70s, and distributed among the various Moku o Hawai‘i clubs. Before 1980, all regattas except the State Races were in fiberglass canoes, so Keoua entered and won many races until 1980, after which all regattas required the use of a koa canoe, and she was from that time used as a practice canoe. So come down to our halau and take a look at a living piece of our club history. Better yet, breathe in the mana she radiates when we take her back out into our waters!

As with all sports, the overall level of paddlers’ fitness and conditioning has improved dramatically over the years. There have also been many changes in paddling styles, race categories & classifications, and canoe design. This year, Keoua will welcome into our fold a new “unlimited class” Makika canoe, currently being built by Tiger Canoes. It will weigh well under 200 lbs. and usher in a new era of competition, so get in shape and work hard for the opportunity to paddle in this canoe. As with all new canoes, there will be a christening and blessing to celebrate its birth.

Fast-forwarding to August 22nd, we will be hosting the 29th Annual Calvin Kelekolio Long Distance Race. Honoring one of our first coaches, this event brings together paddlers from our island as well as guest paddlers from the neighbor islands, U.S. continent and Aotearoa. Complemented with music and our legendary pa‘ina, it is one of the high points on everyone’s race calendar.

We are also raising funds for entering the Pailolo Challenge, 25 miles across the channel between Maui and Moloka‘i, held in mid-September. This event requires much advance planning and expenditure for hotel accommodations, travel arrangements, escort boat and entry fees, so now is the time for interested paddlers to commit and begin working towards this goal.

In addition to this exciting schedule, we have the day-to-day maintenance of our equipment and halau grounds, the collection and sorting of HI-5 recyclables which fund our children’s program, and a pending request to ANA for funds to restore and rebuild the Hale o Ho‘oponopono in our canoe lot near the boat ramp. All of these are an integral part of our stewardship of Honaunau Bay and perpetuation of our cultural legacy, so we welcome and urge you to take an active role in any way you can.

Mahalo for being a part of our Keoua ‘Ohana.

Rafael Ramirez, President and Head Coach

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2015 Louis Kelekolio Memorial Canoe Race Results

Congratulations to the paddlers that competed in the

Louis Kelekolio Memorial Canoe Race

sponsored by Keoua Canoe Club

The results are:

2015PressResultsLouis KelekolioRacePage1

2015PressResultsLouis KelekolioRacePage2

Mahalo to Hawaiian Shotz for posting these results.

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Ka’awaloa

DSCN4067

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Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou!

Lonoikamakahiki at Hiki'au Heiau, Napo‘opo‘o

Lonoikamakahiki at Hiki‘au Heiau, Napo‘opo‘o

This past weekend, Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club was deeply honored to be part of a profound and historic event in honor of the coming of Makahiki, which begins today.

Makahiki, a four-month observance dedicated to Lono, the deity of agriculture, rain and fertility, is an ancient Hawaiian tradition that has been slowly brought to life again over the past two decades. Beginning in November on the first new moon after the constellation Makali‘i (the Pleaides) becomes visible on the horizon, Makahiki was set aside as a time to celebrate the harvest and play competitive games and sports. It was also a time of reflection and spiritual cleansing. The people and the ‘aina rested and re-energized.

For many Kanaka Maoli and others living in Hawai‘i, this is our time of “Thanksgiving,” rather than the U.S. continental concept based on a convoluted tale about Pilgrims and Indians.

The first Makahiki activities to make a re-appearance in more recent times were the Makahiki games. Serving in ancient times as a way for warriors to stay fit, these games also taught young people to develop skills, speed and quick thinking. Today, many schools and groups have organized annual events focusing on Makahiki games.

Also concurrent with the Makahiki of ancient times was a reverent ceremonial procession around the island, as the chiefs surveyed their lands and received tribute from the people. A ceremonial staff carved with a depiction of Lono was carried from each ahupua‘a to the next, and protocols were performed honoring the chief and the god Lono.

On Hawai‘i Island, residents and visitors observed something a bit unusual going on around our island this past weekend – groups of runners, one carrying a ceremonial carved akua (deity), others following with Hawaiian flags and banners.

This modern portrayal of the ancient Makahiki procession is the Makahiki Pule ‘Aina Holo, a ceremonial relay run circulating the Island of Hawaiʻi following the ancient practice. According to organizer Lanakila Mangauil, “this holo is to give our time, energy, sweat, body, and hā (breath) to lift the consciousness of all towards healing and reminds us to malama our āina and ourselves. It is to reconnect us to our kuleana (responsibility) to malama our kino (body/self) so we can malama our ‘ohana (family), our lahui and our ‘āina.”

After months of grassroots planning, this modern interpretation of the traditional island circumnavigation began in Honoka‘a before dawn last Thursday. Oli (chants) and pule (prayer) were offered, and the carved Lonoikamakahiki staff, adorned with a kapa cloak, was presented.

With the dawn, a new awakening in the hearts and minds of the people of Hawai‘i Island was set in motion.

Members of the Pitt River Nation from California, with a tradition of long-distance running to carry the message of the sacredness of all life, our relationship to all living species, and of the need to maintain the delicate balance that exists between humankind and our Mother Earth, joined Native Hawaiians in this historic event.

Lonoikamakahiki was carried by relay, from one group of runners to the next, through the towns along the highway to Hilo, then climbing until reaching Kilauea Volcano, where the first day’s travels ended at Na Makani Paio campground. On Friday the runners continued past Pahala, Punalu‘u, and Na‘alehu, rounded Waiohinu and ended in Miloli‘i, the “last fishing village in Hawai‘i Nei.” There, they were welcomed by the villagers and members of Pa‘a Pono Miloli’i with traditional chants, hula and a delicious meal to restore their energy and spirit, before retiring for the night.

On Saturday, in the stillness before dawn in Miloli‘i, Lonoikamakahiki boarded a canoe and traveled, with an escort of a second canoe from Miloli’i Canoe Club, north to Ho‘okena, where he was met by three canoes from Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club. All five canoes then traveled together up the coast to Kealakekua Bay, stopping to pay homage in front of Hale o Keawe and ‘Ale‘ale‘a Heiau in Honaunau and offering ho‘okupu at Hiki‘au Heiau in Napo‘opo‘o.

The meeting of the canoes at Ho’okena was itself a historic occasion. The previous weekend, Miloli’i Canoe Club had been officially re-born and celebrated with an ocean festival event that included traditional protocols, paddling races and a joyful pa‘ina. Keoua Canoe Club was especially thrilled at the formation, after many decades, of a new canoe club in Miloli‘i to serve the many children and adults living in this isolated village and its neighboring ahupua‘a– and at the same time strengthening the culture of the wa‘a in Kona Hema (South Kona). As the paddlers in the canoes paddled towards each other, whoops of joy carried across the sparkling morning waters, while youngsters on the shore at Kealia sounded the pu in honor of the occasion.

From Hiki‘au Heiau, Lonoikamakahiki took to the road again, traveling north through Kailua-Kona and reaching Pu‘ukohola Heiau by nightfall. On Sunday, the Holo relay runners continued to Hawi, then through Waimea back to Honoka‘a for closing ceremonies.

All who participated in this sacred and historic journey were blessed with the essence of its healing and uplifting intentions. May the spirit of giving and sharing fill our hearts and guide our thoughts and deeds always.

Eo! Lonoikamakahiki!

Canoes from Miloli‘i and Keoua Canoe clubs meet at Ho‘okena

Canoes from Miloli‘i and Keoua canoe clubs meet at Ho‘okena

Lonoikamakahiki arrives in Kealakekua Bay. Some of these paddlers paddled the entire 27 miles from Miloli‘i.

Lonoikamakahiki arrives in Kealakekua Bay. Some of these paddlers paddled the entire 27 miles from Miloli‘i.

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The World Wide Voyage of Hokule‘a: Canoes as Ambassadors of Culture

Herb Kawainui Kane and the Hokule‘a

Herb Kawainui Kane and the Hokule‘a

Editor’s Note: Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club’s  beloved Herb Kawainui Kane, who passed on in 2011,  was the originator of the conceptual design for the Hokule‘a.  Here is Herb’s story about how the wa‘a was named:

“This happened when the parts of the canoe were close to being completed. One day when I visited the building site, a large shed at Young Bros., one of the guys had chalked ‘Da Boat’ on the side of one of the hulls. When I asked the reason for the graffiti, they said it was to remind me that it was time to come up with a name.

 “According to Kenneth Emory, in the old days a name would come to a canoe designer in a dream. Be that as it may, we tossed the question around at the board meeting a few days later. Several names were suggested, mostly compound names, each including several words; none seemed to be what everyone was looking for. Several weeks went by.

 “One exceptionally clear night I stayed up quite late, star chart in hand, locating and memorizing stars and their relative positions. I think I turned in around midnight. Some time later, I dreamed of stars. My attention was attracted to Arcturus, our Hokule’a. It appeared to grow larger and brighter, so brilliant that I awoke.

 “It’s been a habit for many years to keep a pad and pen on my nightstand. When the body is at rest, the mind half-awake, thoughts range about freely, and ideas form which I’ve found are sometimes worth noting down. Some painting ideas have come to me that way. I turned on my reading light and wrote ‘Hokule’a.’

 “The next morning, I saw the notation, and immediately recognized it as a fitting name for the canoe. As a zenith star for Hawai’i it would be a star of gladness if it led to landfall. I phoned Paige Kawelo Barber; she thought it appropriate. I tried it on a few others and got a positive response. The name was proposed at the next board meeting and adopted.”

Continue reading

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33rd Annual Mac-a-thon Results

You can find the 5k results and 10k results at jtltiming.com. A huge mahalo to everyone who participated, all of our club members who volunteered, and to our local businesses and community members who helped support our club. We couldn’t do it without you!

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