July 31st - Na Holo Kai 2004, Oahu to Kaua'i

[Photos] by Steve Gates from the finish at Kalapaki.

A canoe, 100 miles, six paddlers, and a sail. It sounds simple, and hey, it's sailing isn't it? How hard of a race can it be? Surely, we'll have plenty of time to eat, hydrate, and enjoy the scenery right? At least that's what I was thinking Friday evening as we were preparing our canoe for Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association's Na Holo Kai race from Haleiwa, Oahu to Kalapaki Beach on Kaua'i. Maybe, if you've done this before, you'll smile at my inexperience (I was, as Butch said, "a Na Holo Kai virgin"), if not, well let me tell you, this race is no walk in the park. It's more like a run in the park, nonstop, for over eight hours.

The race began at 7:30 am Saturday; about 10 canoes left the beach in an hour-long sprint to the wind line. From the get go, it was captain Marvin Otsuji (paddlers Butch Keahiolalo, Leeroy Jumper, Bret Deblin, David Beck, & Noe Sawyer), captain Steve Baker (paddlers Maitai Danielson, Luke Evslin, Ed Hayes, Nick Beck & Keizo Gates), and captain Sharky leading the way. Marvin was first to fill the sail with some light wind on the outside, then Baker and Sharky. The wind was light, 5-15 mph and the top three held together tightly in a pack as we raced out Oahu’s wind shadow. This made for some intense paddling as all the crews battled for position.

Moving further into the channel the lead changed multiple times, Marvin took it at first, then Sharky a bit further North, next Baker came surfing by, then Sharky, Marvin, Baker, Marvin, Baker, Marvin… And that’s how it was for eight hours. There were several times where Mavin’s and Baker’s canoes came alongside each other, minutes at a time where it was just wave for wave.

About midway the wind shifted to the side and crews had the sheet man jump out on the trampoline. The wind strengthened a bit as well, providing a bit more hull speed and a moral boost for paddlers. At this point, the competition never stopped. The canoes spread out for a couple more hours before converging again 40 minutes off of Kaua’i. This time, Marvin was able to pull away for the finish, while Baker held onto second, and Sharky pulled in third.

For me, it was the longest, most grueling paddle of my life. Paddler Luke Evslin claimed he was more tired and sore than from the 9-man Molokai or the Moloka’i Solo. Tahitian, Maitai Danielson, who was part of the winning crew in the world-renowned Hawaiki Nui, said this was one of his most difficult paddles. Dave Beck compares it to two Moloka’i crossings; when you look at your watch half way through, you can’t help but think: just one more Moloka’i to go. Veteran paddlers Nick Beck and Steve Baker said they’d never had a race quite like this with the three crews battling the entire time.

If you get a chance to do this race, it’s an awesome experience, one without comparison. In the end, it’s all worth it.

--Keizo

[Garden Island Article]
For more information see the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association website (some great photos from 2003)

Posted by keizo on Tue, 08/03/2004 - 8:44am