I've read a few comments in your forum regarding a lack of the "Aloha" spirit within the paddling community in Hawaii. Having just come back from doing a couple of races on Maui, I can tell you that from what myself and Rambo saw during our time there, it's alive and well!
We came over to do the Keanae-Kahului run (Maui) and the Maui-Molo one-man races, and I can tell you we were in awe of Maui Canoe and Kayak Club paddlers and the way they handled themselves in getting ready for the Keanae run on race day.
That you were able to get so many paddlers organized for that race, and make it look so easy is a credit to you! The level of co-operation between you all really was something to see.
I'd like to say a big "Mahalo!" to Don Mehling in taking the time to make sure we were looked after, that the canoes he'd organised for us to use were ready and to make sure we had transportation to the start point.
Thank you also to Wendall and Marcella at Tri Paddle Maui for their help in getting us kitted up and making sure we were set to go. (Wendall I forgot to pay you for the hat you brought me for Maui-Molo race, send me an email with you're details, and I'll take care of it. Sorry.)
Thank you also to Bob Getzen, who we visited at Hana between races. He took us both out on his spare canoes and gave us a tour of his local paddling area which I have to say is visually stunning.
For our Maui-Molo race, thank you also to Chris Maynard , Mike Giblin , Kekoa , Doug and JP for getting us organised with canoes for that race. Again, thank you also to Don Mehling for getting our return trip organised from Molo. (Don , send me an email with you're postal address so we can send a token of appreciation)
On Oahu, thank you to Aka Hemings (I hope that's how to spell your first name! Sorry if it's wrong!), who took us out surfing on a 4 man for just over an hour after spotting us snooping around the beach! Aka the photos turned out really well, send me an email with you're postal address!
Thank you also to Karel and Marcella at Outrigger Connection for letting us use the Fuze for a little training. We turned up on the door step with only our paddles and a moped each and no way of getting the canoe to the beach! So thank you too to Island Paddler at Kailua in hooking us up with the boys at Two Good Kayaks, who got us going for a very modest fee!
To anyone thinking of heading over to Hawaii to experience some great racing, I think I can speak for Rambo as well in saying go for it!
These were two fantastic, well organised down wind races! And being a week apart meant logistics were a little easier and we had time to see a little of Hawaii.
Getting back to the topic of Aloha, we found it extended everywhere we went. From the paddlers to shop keepers to waitresses to drivers on the road!
We had nothing but great help, great service and great manners on the road, even if it was our fault!
I've read a few comments in your forum regarding a lack of the "Aloha" spirit within the paddling community in Hawaii. Having just come back from doing a couple of races on Maui, I can tell you that from what myself and Rambo saw during our time there, it's alive and well!
We came over to do the Keanae-Kahului run (Maui) and the Maui-Molo one-man races, and I can tell you we were in awe of Maui Canoe and Kayak Club paddlers and the way they handled themselves in getting ready for the Keanae run on race day.
That you were able to get so many paddlers organized for that race, and make it look so easy is a credit to you! The level of co-operation between you all really was something to see.
I'd like to say a big "Mahalo!" to Don Mehling in taking the time to make sure we were looked after, that the canoes he'd organised for us to use were ready and to make sure we had transportation to the start point.
Thank you also to Wendall and Marcella at Tri Paddle Maui for their help in getting us kitted up and making sure we were set to go. (Wendall I forgot to pay you for the hat you brought me for Maui-Molo race, send me an email with you're details, and I'll take care of it. Sorry.)
Thank you also to Bob Getzen, who we visited at Hana between races. He took us both out on his spare canoes and gave us a tour of his local paddling area which I have to say is visually stunning.
For our Maui-Molo race, thank you also to Chris Maynard , Mike Giblin , Kekoa , Doug and JP for getting us organised with canoes for that race. Again, thank you also to Don Mehling for getting our return trip organised from Molo. (Don , send me an email with you're postal address so we can send a token of appreciation)
On Oahu, thank you to Aka Hemings (I hope that's how to spell your first name! Sorry if it's wrong!), who took us out surfing on a 4 man for just over an hour after spotting us snooping around the beach! Aka the photos turned out really well, send me an email with you're postal address!
Thank you also to Karel and Marcella at Outrigger Connection for letting us use the Fuze for a little training. We turned up on the door step with only our paddles and a moped each and no way of getting the canoe to the beach! So thank you too to Island Paddler at Kailua in hooking us up with the boys at Two Good Kayaks, who got us going for a very modest fee!
To anyone thinking of heading over to Hawaii to experience some great racing, I think I can speak for Rambo as well in saying go for it!
These were two fantastic, well organised down wind races! And being a week apart meant logistics were a little easier and we had time to see a little of Hawaii.
Getting back to the topic of Aloha, we found it extended everywhere we went. From the paddlers to shop keepers to waitresses to drivers on the road!
We had nothing but great help, great service and great manners on the road, even if it was our fault!
Mahalo
Thor
Submitted by thor on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 12:46am