7th Annual OluKai Ho‘olaule‘a May 1 to 3
By Maui Now Staff
The seventh annual OluKai Ho‘olaule‘a will be held this weekend, May 1 to 3, 2015, bringing together the world’s elite stand up paddle (SUP), OC1 and OC2 athletes to race the legendary eight-mile Maliko Downwind Run on the North Shore of Maui.
The Maliko Run is known as the holy grail of downwind paddling. Consistent trade winds between 15 to 30 knots within one of the most pristine stretches of water on the planet make this the perfect place to paddle.
The ho‘olaule‘a attracts some of the biggest names in ocean paddling, including Connor Baxter, Andrea Moller and Kai Bartlett, who battle it out for the gender-equal prize purse of $15,000.
The OluKai Ho‘olaule‘a (“celebration” in Hawaiian) is a three-day ocean festival that blends elite competition with family-friendly water activities and cultural experiences. The event includes canoe surfing, traditional Hawaiian games, a lūau, hula, live music and more. The festivities are free and open to the community.
“Ho‘olaule‘a is time for celebration, but for OluKai it’s also an expression of gratitude,” said legendary big wave surfer and OluKai ambassador Archie Kalepa. “Each year, the event brings together our friends and ‘ohana from all corners of the globe, but it’s also an opportunity to honor the ocean lifestyle that we’re so fortunate to have. It’s a reminder for us all to live pono, with a conscious decision to do the right thing in terms of ourselves, others and the environment.”
The 2015 ho‘olaule‘a will kick off on Friday, May 1, with the free, inaugural, community Demo Day. Meet the pros–Connor Baxter, Josh Riccio, Kai Bartlett and Zane Schweitzer, try the latest boards and equipment by Naish, Star Board, SIC, Jimmy Lewis, Tri Paddle and C4, and participate in a health and wellness information session with renowned Maui personal fitness trainer Suzie Cooney.
On Saturday, May 2, cheer on competitors as they embark on the eight-mile SUP race to Kanaha Beach Park, take part in the three mile ‘Ohana Fun Paddle and enjoy complimentary surfing canoe rides, SUP demonstrations, Hawaiian cultural activities, live local music and a lūau.
On Sunday, May 3, the OC1 and OC2 competition will take place, with another full day of free family fun.
The Hawaiʻi Sailing Canoe Association will stage a spectacular finish to its prestigious Alenuihaha Challenge sailing race on the shores of Kanaha Beach Park.
The event will be filmed in HD and broadcast internationally, courtesy of OluKai media partner Ocean Paddler TV.
For more information, go online.
About OluKai:
OluKai is a luxury lifestyle brand that believes everyone, no matter where they are, can live aloha. For more information, go online.
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