HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Molokai Hoe is one of the most iconic races in Hawaii across the Kaiwi Channel. For the Rawlins ohana, paddling isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life deeply tied to Molokai’s identity.
On Sunday, Oct. 12, thousands of paddlers from around the world will gather at Hale o Lono Beach for the Molokai Hoe.
Molokai native and Maui County Councilwoman Keani Rawlins-Fernandez has deep ties to paddling.
“My papa and his brothers paddled in the first Molokai Hoe. So being able to continue the practice of our immediate kupuna and it’s the practice of our first ancestors that came here,” Rawlins said.
For generations, they helped shape the islands’ paddling tradition from the earliest races to today.
“For us, it’s really important that paddling is not treated solely as sport, absent of culture, that cultural piece remains entwined with paddling,” Rawlins-Fernandez said.
The race has changed over the years and has become more popular. Rawlins-Fernandez says it’s a balance of welcoming thousands of people to the island while protecting the island’s limited resources.
“Be respectful when coming to our community in the ocean and on Molokai, we continue to have a reciprocal caring relationship with our ocean, with our aina, with our community. We still live off the bounty from Kaunaloa,” Rawlins-Fernandez said.
Rawlins-Fernandez says she hopes the race continues to thrive — with respect, education and aloha.
“We just ask that they come with respect and follow the rules that are in place for a reason, support our local businesses, and try and make relationships when you come as much as possible and support our keiki and opio paddling programs,” Rawlins-Fernandez said.