[Photos] by Virginia Isbell
Results of today's Abbott Galaher SeaMan Race. Started by the late Abbott Galaher in 1998 as an unofficial pre-season event, with the entry fee being canned goods for the Hawaii Island Food Bank, today's event, hosted by Keauhou Canoe Club, attracted 70 paddlers, including many first time racers.

The Jan 16 event has been rescheduled to Sunday, January 30, 2005 at Ocean Club from 5-10pm.

[Renowned paddler in critical condition] Honolulu Advertiser

Fundraisers are in progress to help cover the immense medical costs. Donations will be accepted at any First Hawaiian Bank branch, under the "Friends of Leighton Look" account.

Fund-raising race by Kanaka Ikaika - Dec. 4, All proceeds from the race will be donated to the Look family.

Jan. 16, the Hui Lanakila Canoe Club will hold a fund-raising auction at Don Ho's Island Grill. The event is scheduled to run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

[See all the Comments on Leighton] from the initial report of his accident. Leighton suffered a severe case of the bends (decompression sickness) while diving off of Hawaii Kai.

update 11/3:[Honolulu Advertiser Article] by Jan TenBruggencate
[Garden Island Article]

Results of the 8th Annual JJ's Masters Wa'a Kaukahi Relay Race.

The first paddler started at Keauhou Bay and tagged their partners 6 miles later at Kamakahonu Beach. The second team member started at the beach at Kamakahonu, paddled out and around the Coast Guard Buoy and finished inside Honokohau Harbor, to complete 5.5 miles for the second leg of the relay.

Started in 1997 by Polynesian Paddling Products founder, JJ Logan, this race is exclusively for "Masters Age" paddlers, and also attracts competitors from Oahu and California.

[Honolulu Advertiser Article] by Jan TenBruggencate

Ra'i won the first two legs. Shell Va'a hammered to a first place finish in the last leg, but Rai's point total gave them the win. Pirae Va’a Mobil finished third. Hawaiian Canoe Club, the one team from Hawaii, finished 41st. Seventy two canoes finished.
[Final Results] at hawaikinuivaa.pf
[Brief Article] by Tahiti Press

"Pacific Expeditions - The HAWAII Show" airing on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) this week.

The show will air on the following dates and times:

OCT 22 [Honolulu Advertiser Article]
A lot of recent talk on the future of Kahului Harbor and how the Department of Transportation's plans to upgrade it could affect the paddling scene. I've heard several comments saying Hawaiian Canoe Club and Na Kai ‘Ewalu Canoe Club sites could even be destroyed. I don't know the facts behind the DOT plans and whether such statements are true, but either way, this issue deserves some attention. This Wednesday, October 20, 4:30-7:00 pm, a meeting will be held at Hawaiian Canoe Club with Glen Soma from Oahu Harbors Division (DOT). Might be good to attend if you're a Maui resident.

More information: [Photos of the area] by Erica Hamp
[SaveKahuluiHarbor.com Petition] [Maui Paddling Pages]

If you would like to discuss this more, open it up in the forums.

Ourigger paddlers from Hawaii, Australia, and Hong Kong joined all the crews on Guam for last weekends racing on the inaugural Heineken International Outrigger Invitational on Guam. 500 and 1500 meter sprints were held in Tumon Bay Saturday and a 12 mile offshore race went off Sunday from Hagatna Boat Basin to Two Lovers Point and back.

Last Wednesday or Thursday Leighton Look was diving off Hawaii Kai. I not sure of the exact details, but he was rushed to Kuakini hospital and is in very bad shape. I've heard varying accounts to his prognosis, but I just wanted to get the word out and hope that everyone say a little prayer for him and hope that he pulls through.