Moloka‘i Holokai Ho‘olaule‘a, June 29-30

The Molokaʻi Holokai Hoʻolauleʻa is scheduled for June 29-30, 2019 on the island of Molokaʻi.

The event features two ocean races–Maui to Molokaʻi Challenge and the Molokaʻi Holokai Kamalo Run. There’s also activities to mālama the environment, including a cleanup at Kaunakakai Harbor for invasive Gorilla Ogo and Mangrove seeds that continuously wash up on island shores.

Event missions are two-fold:

• “The Molokaʻi Holokai will embody our inherent Hawaiian cultural values – taking care of the land and sea, giving back to community, honoring host culture/language, respecting others.”
• “Empower, Equip, Educate, Challenge, and Motivate Youth through activities that engage and develop their mental, emotional, creative, and physical skills on the land and in the ocean.”

While racers prepare to cross the channel from DT Fleming, community members will gather at Kaunakakai Harbor.  The first finishers on Saturday are expected to arrive at Kaunakakai wharf from 12 to 1 p.m.

Racers to keep an eye on this year are: 17-year-old Alex Mawae from Molokaʻi, 16-year-old Slater Fleck from Maui, and 10-year-old Bobo Gallagher from Maui.

Some original youth from this crossing back in 2003 to 2008 will also be participating.  Connor Baxter and Zane Schweitzer who crossed the channel as kids are now among the best in the world.

On Sunday the Molokaʻi Holokai will start from Kamalo Harbor to the Health Center at around 12:30 p.m. The public is welcome to come down and enjoy the festivities at Molokaʻi Community Health Center, listen to music and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. The highlight of the day will be the Molokaʻi kids who will paddle from the Mowat’s homestead to the Health Center at 2:45 to 3 p.m. The Keiki event is open to all Molokaʻi Youth. There are no entry fees for any of the Molokaʻi youth.

There will be the last-minute Molokaʻi signups at Paddlers Inn on Thursday, June 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the Maui to Molokaʻi crossing and again at Paddlers Inn on Saturday, June 29 for the Sunday race.  All signup for both volunteer and racing can be done online. For more information, please go to MolokaiHolokai.com or call Clare Mawae at (808) 336-0946.