Small clubs with only a few qualified crews for the State Regatta Championship in Hilo have found it cost-prohibitive to ship a koa canoe. Several of these clubs have contacted me in search of a koa to borrow. I am willing to try to assist anyone with this need or will try to refer you to a club or clubs that may also be able to help. PM me if I can be of assistance.
Submitted by BillRosehill on Sun, 07/12/2009 - 10:43am
Mahalo Bill.
Not to go off subject, but when one does lend out a canoe, is it right to charge a crew to use it? What my kupuna taught me was that when you allow someone to use something of yours..... you don?t really expect anything back in return. You give because you want to and NOT because you have to.
I heard that some ( or one club ) would charge as up to $400 for the use of their canoe at States last year. Is that what canoes racing is all about? Do a fundraiser with you Koa at States? What ever happen to the
" Hawaiian Spirit " of sharing?
I do understand that, " What happens if the canoes gets damaged? " Well, that goes back to my earlier thougth " Give because you want to and NOT because you have to.
#1 Sun, 07/12/2009 - 6:36pm
anykine,
I cannot speak for other clubs. I can tell you what I am known for here.
The Queen Liliu'okalani race has existed for 37 years. I have loaned up to 11 canoes, koa, glass, and polynesian in the past years. I deliver them to the pier, rig all of them for those who will be racing them, and I have yet to ask for a dime. I do however, ask for help, from those staying until Monday, in loading them on my trailer on Monday morning and unloading them at my halau at the Old Kona Airport. If I could physically load a 400lb. canoe on and off my trailer and up on the storage rack in the halau, I would not be asking for anyone's help there either.
The "Hawaiian Spirit" of sharing you speak of thrives in my heart. You may verify this with any canoe club on this island or any visiting club I've assisted over the years.
Thank you for your questions.
#2 Sun, 07/12/2009 - 8:28pm
As a club not shipping a Koa, we happily pay to use anothers, both as a thanks while helping cover their costs, and also saving us the expense too.
$400 may seem like alot (it sure does to me) but try buy one ;)
#3 Sun, 07/12/2009 - 10:43pm