Aloha paddlers!
Here are some updates for this year's Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Races:
CANOES
We are exited to have so many crews coming this year from the mainland and other countries. So.....heads up clubs from Kauai, Oahu Molokai and Maui...
Please make every effort to ship your own canoes as we are limited in the number of Big Island canoes available to loan out. With the large number of out-of-state clubs participating in this year's race, they will be given priority for borrowing canoes already on the Big Island, as they are the crews that are unable to bring their own canoes.
As of today, Young Brothers is sold out for platforms and trailers. Your best bet is to contact other clubs in your area to try to get onto a platform already reserved.
PARKING
If you are planning to drive to the race site Saturday and Sunday mornings, please allow extra time to find parking. Unfortunately, this year we don't have the extra dirt parking lot behind the King Kamehameha Hotel so be prepared for there to be less parking available near the race site.
There is ample parking at the Old Airport Park, approximately 15 minutes walking time from the race site. We are attempting to arrange for a shuttle Saturday morning...check the message board outside the race registration office to confirm shuttle service from the Old Airport and the race site
THE PIER
The pier will look a little different to you this year. All the renovations have been completed and it looks great. But, with new federal regulations, some barriers have been installed and need to be respected. If you are in town on Thursday 9/2, be aware there will be a cruise ship in port. So some areas of the pier will have limited access (or no access) and tenders will be going to and from the pier to the ship. If you are out on the water practicing, it is important to keep your distance from the cruise ship and its tenders. If you have any questions about this, please check with a race official about the federal regulations (serious stuff!).
INTERNATIONAL PADDERS NIGHT
Thursday night, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, new location to be announced. Please check for more information in another update or the race registration office. If you are in Kona Thursday, please come and sign in....door prizes will be given away!
FRIDAY NIGHT COACHES MEETING
Information at this meeting needs to be heard by all participants, including all escort and official boat captains. Make sure there is at least one representative from each crew attending this meeting! The meeting is at 7:00 pm at the King Kamehameha luau grounds.
RACE STARTS
Any canoe past the start boats in both the wahine and kane races will be given a 15 minute time penalty.
IRON RACES AWARDS
Don't forget...awards celebration for the iron divisions of Saturday's race will begin approximately 3:30 pm at Kamakahonu Beach (race site in front of the King Kamehameha Hotel). All other divisions will be awarded at the luau on Sunday.
Aloha, and see you next week!
