In 1952, three outrigger canoes launched at Kawakiu Bay on Molokai’s west side, bound for O’ahu across more than 38-miles of open ocean. Nearly nine hours later, the canoe Kukui O Lanikaula landed on Waikīkī beach in front of the Moana Hotel. This first event started the world’s most prestigious outrigger canoe race, the Molokaʻi Hoe.
The Molokaʻi Hoe across the treacherous Molokaʻi Channel, aka Kaʻiwi Channel (“Channel of Bones”) is considered one of the most difficult in the world. The deep water (plunging 2,300 feet) is afforded no protection from other land masses. Waves often reaching eight feet can propel or obstruct forward motion in equal measure. The channel is also teaming with sealife, from jellyfish to stingrays to sharks.
With nearly constant rough sea, the race tests the limits of strength, endurance, courage, determination, and teamwork. The contest perpetuates outrigger canoeing, one of Hawaii’s most important historic cultural traditions and the official state team sport, and one of our longest-running team sporting events. Today, over 1,000 paddlers from around the world come to Hawaiʻi to compete in the highly prestigious Molokaʻi Hoe.
Hawaiian Channels
There are nine main channels in the Hawaiian Islands, from north to south:
- Kaulakahi Channel between Niʻihau and Kauaʻi
- Kaʻieʻie Waho Channel (or Kauai Channel) between Kauaʻi and Oʻahu
- Kaʻiwi Channel (or Moloka’i Channel) between Oʻahu and Molokaʻi
- Kalohi Channel between Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi
- Pailolo Channel between Molokaʻi and Maui
- ʻAuʻau Channel (or Maui Channel) between Maui and Lānaʻi, and protected by Molokaʻi to the north and Kahoʻolawe to the south
- Kealaikahiki Channel between Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe
- ʻAlalākeiki Channel between Kahoʻolawe and Maui
- ʻAlenuihāhā Channel between Maui and Hawaiʻi Island
What is an outrigger canoe?
Outriggers have been in use for over 3,500 years and predate the Micronesian and Polynesian expansion into the Pacific. An outrigger canoe consists of a canoe (narrow water vessel) as the main hull (the watertight portion of any boat) and an outrigger (lateral arm with float) extending from the main hull (usually on the port or left side) to provide stability. The outrigger makes it easy to travel at higher speeds and provides stability in rough seas.
The Anglo-Saxon terms hull and outrigger are known in Europe. Throughout the Pacific and the Americas, Polynesian terminology is used: “vaka” or “waka” (main hull, boat or canoe),”aka” or “iako” (support arm), and “ama” (outrigger).The boats come in many configurations: single hull with outrigger, double-hull with outrigger, double-hull (aka catamaran), double outrigger (aka trimaran), and may be equipped with sails (such as the Hōkūleʻa—a double outrigger deep sea voyaging canoe).
Outrigger canoes are propelled by one or more paddlers facing the direction of travel (opposite of a rowboat or racing shell). Each paddler uses a single-bladed paddle (as opposed to the double-bladed kayak paddle).
2024 Molokaʻi Hoe
Unless you are a race participant, traveling to Molokaʻi is impossible. Visitors should stay away. Simply put, the small island will be at capacity with race participants, leaving no accommodations for spectators.
- Race: Sunday, October 13, 2024
- How to watch in-person: Waikīkī Spectators can head to Duke’s Beach (in front of Hilton Hawaiian Village), which will be crowded but offers some possibility for enjoying the event in person. Merchandise is also available (until sold out) should you want a souvenir of the event.
- How to watch online: Since most of the action is out of view, the best way to get in on the race action is by viewing the broadcast or livestream. Live coverage of the Molokaʻi Hoe is broadcast on KHII | KHON2 and livestreamed on KHON2.
More info: Molokai Hoe Canoe Race – World Championships of Outrigger Canoe
Outrigger canoe team on the open ocean photo by toucanet via Depositphotos
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days across the Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina.
Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
You might also like: Hawaiʻi on the Cheap – affordable living and things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com)
Waikīkī Beach
