Big Island

The 2007 H.I.P.A. Steinlager Big Island Championship was held on Saturday March 31st on 3 different courses all finishing at Kawaihae. Due to variable wind conditions, the long course was run from Mahukona in North Kohala to Kawaihae - 14 miles, the short course was run on a triangle course out of Kawaihae - 9 miles and the Juniors and Paddleboards were run on a 4 mile triangle course out of Kawaihae. Lunch and awards, as well as the Steinlager point series division awards was held at the Kawaihae Canoe Club site. Mahalo to Kawaihae Canoe Club for their hospitality.

Photos by Scott Wilson
On a beautiful West Hawaii day, 109 paddlers showed up Saturday at Keauhou Bay to remember the late Eda "Kuuipo" Hinchcliff, a long time H.I.P.A. racing member and Keauhou paddler, by paddling in the three events sponsored by Keauhou Canoe Club. Results of the events are attached.

Results of today's 2nd Annual Hurricane Invitational Race. The 11 mile course ran south from Keokea in North Kohala to the old Coast Guard Station, south of Upolu Airport. Moderate swells and gusty winds made for fast times, and all 56 racers finished within 30 minutes of one another, first to last across the line. Six Jetskis kept track of everyone on the open ocean, and all paddlers, including 5 juniors and 8 women, did a great job in safely finishing the sometimes difficult course.

On a flat water, hot day, the 13th Annual Kohala Coast Challenge was held today with all events starting and finishing at Kawaihae Harbor. Always one of the most popular of the Hawaii Island Paddlesports Series, this event had the best turnout of any of this year's races. To start the day, 19 paddleboarders and 10 Juniors competed on a 3 mile course. Then the 81 canoes on the 5 mile short course competed, followed by 26 entrants on the long course.

The Kam’aili Nursery Pohoiki Challenge was held Saturday February 17th in lower Puna. This may very well be the most remote canoe race in Hawaii. It’s a long drive, but well worth the effort when you get down to Isaac Hale Park for registration and the race start. Over 90 paddlers made the trek and were rewarded with excellent canoe surfing conditions due to brisk NNE trade-winds and a (just below advisory level) NNE Swell.