What makes the Molokai Hoe special to you ? Is it the only race that you take really serious ? Shouldn't it be longer, maybe start from Maui ?
Submitted by eckhart on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 10:39pm
What makes the Molokai Hoe special to you ? Is it the only race that you take really serious ? Shouldn't it be longer, maybe start from Maui ?
Submitted by eckhart on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 10:39pm
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Starting from Maui would be wrong. Maybe finish somewhere else, but there's something about Hale O Lono. There's a sacredness to the place that anyone can feel. Then again don't change the finish either. Waikiki is also can't be replaced. Just thinking about it makes me realize how perfect this race is. Maybe in this age of super prepared athletes the distance seems too small, but I say if you've got too much left at the end, then maybe you should have given more out there.
#1 Thu, 09/13/2007 - 4:25pm
Sure Jim that's true for every race. I just wondered what others think about the long distance races in general and then the Molokai Hoe compared them.
I realize that the arrival of international competition makes a big difference. On the other hand the 'Duke' race as well as the Henry Ayau seem pretty nice to me as well.
#2 Thu, 09/13/2007 - 7:48pm
eckhart:
Molokai to me is special because of the history of it. The first channel crossing for men was in 1952 and the first official race for women was in 1979. When you go across that channel today, you are following the paddles of many before you. You are adding on to the history of it. I'm sure it will live on for many more years to come.
I've only done the channel twice so far, but I am proud to say that I did it, I was there, and I'll never forget it.
Aloha!
#3 Thu, 09/13/2007 - 8:20pm
big island to kauai?
I did almost all the ld races last year, well, here on kauai at least. nothing compared to molo.
#4 Thu, 09/13/2007 - 10:14pm
before I was born my mom went to Oahu with her friends for a vacation and they happened upon the finish of the 1962 Molokai Hoe.
She snapped some photos of these "exhausted brown paddlers", the crowd at the beach, and the canoes.
She had no idea who won, ( it was Wakiki Surf Club) but was amazed how happy ALL the finishing crews were.. all these guys... exhausted, wet, happy.
one of the photos shows the huge crowd lining the beach, people wading it to greet paddlers, koa canoes in the shallows...years later when I completed my first Molokai and crossed the line I was struck by the similarity of the photo to that day.That picture sits in a frame on my desk where I see it every morning.
whether its your first or your 50th, Molokai is special becuz it is about finishing what you set out to do.
#5 Fri, 09/14/2007 - 5:36am
I don't see any need to mess with the Molokai Hoe. I agree with Jim. It's a perfect race in so many ways. I get chicken skin every time on the drive down to Hale O Lono for the start.
What might have some traction is a Hawaiki Nui type stage race between several islands. Imagine all the cool stages you could have: Maui to Molokai, Ka Iwi channel, Kailua to Waikiki. Some of the other channel crossings would be even more challenging.
#6 Fri, 09/14/2007 - 10:14am
There is no reason to change the Molokai Hoe.
But why is the Henry Ayau 'skippys' or 'another training run' for many ?
The races other than the Molokai Hoe should be upgraded; they are not less valuable.
I support the idea of a Hawaiian Hawaiki Nui or Triple Crown of long distance outrigger paddling, and the Molokai Hoe could be the final piece of it.
#7 Sat, 09/15/2007 - 5:31pm