Maui Hosts HCRA State Canoe Championship on Saturday

Maui organizers are making preparations to host thousands of outrigger canoe paddlers and spectators at the State Canoe Championship Regatta, taking place this Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017 at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach in Lahaina.

The last time Maui hosted a state championship was in 2011. File photo credit: Rhonda Ashton

Parking Restrictions to be Enforced:

The public is advised that parking at Hanakaʻōʻō will be restricted to race organizers and officials for the event. Public parking will be available above the Lahaina Civic Center with continuous shuttle service starting at 5:30 a.m. Illegal parking alongside Honoapiʻilani Highway outside of Hanakaʻōʻō Beach will be subject to ticketing by police.

Food Booths/Vendors:

Food booths by Maui’s canoe clubs will be selling a large variety of menu items all day. Commemorative t-shirts and other paddling related merchandise will be sold at the regatta site from various state wide vendors.

Schedule of Events:

The day will include 41 events ranging from ¼ mile to 1-mile including age divisions ranging from 12 to 65 plus. All participants will race in koa canoes to further perpetuate the history and culture of Hawaiʻi’s state sport.

The opening ceremony begins at 7:30 a.m. with a pule, welcoming greeting and message from the Mayor. It will also include the recognition of recipients of the inaugural Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s scholarship awards. Each of HCRA’s six canoe racing associations will have a recipient who will receive a $1,000 scholarship to help further their education. The regatta racing will start at 8 a.m.

“We’re looking forward to showcasing Hawaii’s official state team sport and welcoming canoe clubs from across the state to Maui.” said Walter Vierra, president of HCRA, the statewide organization that oversees the championship regatta. “Each year the competition is fierce among our state’s 82 canoe clubs and this year is no exception.”

For more information on the championship regatta go to www.hcrapaddler.com.