Aloha paddlers!
Here are some updates for the 2008 Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Races.
2008 celebrates 35 years of wahine racing in the world’s largest outrigger canoe race!
(For more detailed information log onto www.kaiopua.org for detailed information and race registration.)
CANOES
As always, we are excited to have so many crews coming this year from the mainland and other countries. So.....heads up clubs from Kauai, Oahu Molokai and Maui...as usual, we loan all the available canoes we can arrange for to crews coming from outside the Hawaiian Islands. Hopefully you’ve already got your bookings with Young Bros to ship your canoes!
BOOKING AIRFARE
Island Air has a Queen Liliuokalani Special *** $79.50*** between Honolulu and Kona!
Call 1-800-652-6541 and ask for the “Island Hoe” fare.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Call Kelley at 808-989-5403 for race weekend special rates at:
Royal Kona Resort – as low as $115
Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort – as low as $135
LOGO SHOP
Just off the pool area, open Wednesday through Monday. As usual, really cool paddling gear!
Wednesday: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 8:00 am – Noon...
REGISTRATION
Go to the www.kaiopua.org for online registration.
The registration room, just across for the LOGO SHOP and pool at the King Kam, will be open:
Thursday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm don’t wait until the last minute gang!
Sunday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Check the web site for all the details of what you will need to bring to register your crews. If you register on line, you will still need to come in during the above hours to pick up you race packets. But guaranteed, this process will much more streamline if you pre-register!
WRISTBANDS
Wristbands for each registered paddler will be in your race packet. Paddlers...please get them from your coaches as the wristband gets you:
Saturday...onto the shuttle bus
Saturday night...into Lulus
Sunday afternoon...your meal the luau
PARKING
Go Green...Car Pool...Come Early!
HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION
Queen Kaahumanu Hightway from Kailua town, north to Honokohau Harbor, is under construction. Please factor in in slow traffic to and from the airport, at ALL times of the day or evening.
INTERNATIONAL PADDERS NIGHT
Thursday night, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, same location as usual, the room just on the lobby side of the swimming pool at the King Kam. If you are a mainland and international competitor, please join us! Bring your flags, family and have some fun! Come and sign in....door prizes will be given away! HEAVY pupus and no-host bar. Come early to make sure you get your “Aloha” lanyard.
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 Ballroom (off to the right of the front desk). Because of new regulations at the Honaunau end, this is a mandatory meeting.
SHUTTLES TO AND FROM HONAUNAU
***Parking at Honaunau will be more restricted than in years past. ***
If you are a registered paddler in Saturday’s race, shuttle service is available to you, free of charge.
Buses will depart from the circular drive in front of the King Kamehameha Hotel at 8:00 am and 9:00 pm.
Buses return from Puuhonau o Honaunau at 11:00 am and 12:00 noon.
The drop off and pick up at Honauanau will be at the park entrance.
Race participants....make sure you are wearing your wristband to ride the shuttle.
PARKING AT HONAUNAU
Parking is restricted to the National Park parking lot and is $5.00 per car.
RACE FINISH AND START IN HONAUNAU
Coaches...please make sure you and your crews are very familiar with the new policies regarding parking in Honaunau, and the exchange of canoes from the wahine to kane at the end of the wahine race. We all want to show our respect to this sacred place so we hope everyone will do their part. Detailed information will be available at the registration room and coaches are strongly urged to attend the coaches meeting so all the information is clear. Paddlers, there will be a kayak patrol to guide canoes away from the park. Please kokua and take their direction so we can protect the archeology of the park. WAHINE...when you finish your race, please look for the sign on the rocks indicating the safest place to exit the water.
ESCORT BOATS
Need an escort boat for your changes crew? Have an escort boat for your your race but it’s available for the other race? Call Beth at 808-937-6018.
SATURDAY LONG DISTANCE RACE AWARDS
Awards celebration for the ALL 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.
TORCH LIGHT PARADE
A Queen Liliuokalani Race tradition!
The paddlers celebrate the race weekend with Alii Drive closed off while they parade from Hale Halawai to the pier. Be there to represent your club and country! Parade begins at dusk, approximately 7:00 pm.
SATURDAY PARTY
7:00 to 10:00 pm at our Steinlager Beer Garden, the makai side of the King Kam. Large screen slide show of Saturday races as well!
SUNDAY RACES: Juniors --- Double Hull --- OC1/OC2
Check www.kaiopua.org for detailed information on divisions and start times.
NEW DIVISIONS!!!
STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD
Please contact Odie at 808-987-3078 for more information.
RUDDERLESS OC1
Please contact Thibert at 808-895-1962 for more information.
OC-1/OC-2 RACES
If you are trying to organize an OC-1 or OC-2 to race in, please call Ronona at 808-989-7066
RECYCLING VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
Are you in Kona to support a paddler/crew and want to get more involved? We have been going to great lengths the past few years to keep all those bottles the racers discard after hydration from going in the landfill. If you can help our recycling team, call Kaeti at 808-345-7309. There’s a luau ticket and a lanyard in it for you.
LIVE COVERAGE OF THE SATURDAY’S BIG RACE
Tune into KWXX 101.5 FM in Kona for race information, updates and interviews all week; and live coverage of both the wahine and kane races on Saturday...and for hot island music the rest of the time
Don’t forget all the other fun stuff...Sunday Luau and Awards!
Aloha, and see you Labor Day Weekend!
