HONOLULU (KHON2) — Preparations for the Na Wahine O Ke Kai Canoe Race are underway.
On Monday, Sept. 22, the race expo opened up shop for what will be a record-setting race on Sunday, Sept. 28.
A colorful selection of race merchandise went on sale for those who came to pick up their race packets this evening at the Outrigger Canoe Club.
All ahead of Sunday’s Na Wahine O Ke Kai Race, which only continues to grow.
“This year we have 75 crews. The most we’ve ever had was 73, so we’re at an all-time high this year,” said Ikaika Rogerson, OHCRA Treasurer. “We’re glad to see that this year, especially with what happened last year and an influx of Cruz coming out to join us”.
This year’s race also marks 50 years since the first woman crossed the Kaiwi Channel, and serves as a tribute to Aunty Hannie Anderson. A pioneer of the sport and one of the first women to conquer it.
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“Auntie Hahn passed away earlier this year. So we wanna make sure that we do goodbye her and we want to honor her,” Rogerson added. “During the race this year, this is also the anniversary of the 50th Crossing that happened, and we want to do good by those pioneers that helped us Na Wahine O Ke kai.”
One of those pioneers who made the crossing 50 years ago is Luana Froiseth. When the race was called “Women of the Sea”, which became Na Wahine O Ke Kai two years later.
“It’s very exciting because when we first raced in 1979, there was only eight crews and they were all from Hawaii,” said Froiseth. “It’s very exciting that the sport has grown all over the world and people wanna come and embrace this channel”.
Of the 75 teams looking to conquer the Kaiwi Channel, 66 are from Hawaii.
The remaining teams come from the U.S. mainland, as well as Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Canada and Japan.
A testament to a sport growing in popularity throughout the world.
“It’s just good to have the women of the sea out there paddling and competing against each other,” said Froiseth.
The race begins at 7:30 a.m. It will be televised on KHII and livestreamed on KHON2.com and on the KHON+ app.