Aloha Canoe Paddlers!
We’re looking forward to seeing you in Kona next week for the 38th Annual Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Races, September 5 & 6.
Go to kaiopua.org for more race details and registration.
New this year:
We have been trying to lessen our impact on the reef and shore at Honaunau over the years, even as our race gets bigger. This year we have a new solution that should help, and be fun for everyone. Blue Sea Cruises, a local tour boat company, is making their Spirit of Kona tour catamaran available for transporting race participants and spectators. The basics of how it will work is that the Spirit of Kona (SOK) will take men’s crews from the Kailua Pier to Honaunau, and bring women’s crew back. Crews will make their exchange from ship to canoe (men), or canoe to ship (women), out in the bay at Honaunau.
The schedule will be:
Saturday, Sept 5
Board SOK at the Kailua Pier 7:15 am to 7:45 am
Spectators and men racers
Women racers should send a post race bag with the men to have on board when they finish.
The SOK will follow the race along as it unfolds, to the finish at Honaunau.
Canoes will come along side the SOK and crews will transfer.
The SOK will start with the men’s race. In the later stage of the men’s race, the SOK will move ahead so all passengers can unload at the Kailua Pier before the first of the men’s crew finish.
It should be a great way to watch the race and enjoy the coastline!
The cost for the transport is:
$10 for passenger – one way – these are crew members
$25 for spectator – round trip only
$12 for child (18 & under) - round trip only and must be accompanied by an adult both ways
***No smoking on board SOK
***for children under 5 and younger, please consider that the round trip will be approximately 6 hours and there is nowhere on board to lie down
If you want to check out the Spirit of Kona here’s the link:
www.blueseacruisesinc.com
They have food and beverage for sale on board. For the women race participants on the return to Kailua, the bar onboard SOK will have adult beverages for sale as well.
To pre-book go to kaiopua.org and use the email contact. For final booking, go to our race registration room when you get to Kona. All passengers must sign a waiver along with their payment.
LOGO SHOP
Just off the pool area, open Wednesday through Monday. As usual, really cool paddling gear!
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 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm don’t wait until the last minute gang!
Saturday 3:00 pm – 6:00 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!
NOTEthere is no Sunday registration this year. If you are registering for the Double Hull race or OC1/OC2 and no canoe(s) are available you will be refunded your entry fee.
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!
INTERNATIONAL PADDERS NIGHT
Thursday night, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, new location as usual, the main ballroom on the mauka (mountain) side of the check-in lobby 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). 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 11:45 am.
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.
SUNDAY RACES - Juniors --- Double Hull --- OC1/OC2---SUP:
Check www.kaiopua.org for detailed information on divisions and start times.
STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD
Please contact Frank at 808-322-4166 (Thursday 9/3 or later) for more information on SUP rentals.
OC-1/OC-2 RACES
Please inquire in the race registration room for canoe availability.
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!
