Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races, Sept. 3-7

Photo credit: Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club.

By Wendy Osher

The 44th Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races start today and continue through Monday, Sept. 7, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.

More than 2,500 outrigger canoe paddlers will travel to Kona to participate in the signature 18-mile long distance race between Kailua Bay and Honaunau.

Teams competing this year feature crews from across the world including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Peru , Tahiti and the UK.  Seventy-five crews from the US and 60 Hawaiʻi Island crews are participating.

The event is hosted by the Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club, and occurs each Labor Day weekend.

Race events include the Historic Kailua Village Cultural Walk, Paddling Talk Story session, Native Artist Fair, Torchlight Parade, Stand-up Paddleboard Race and the Aliʻi Challenge.  New this year is the Hulakai OC4, 4 person canoes, participating in a sprint relay at Kailua pier.