The Molokai Hoe - Hawaii

The Molokai hoe is one of the longest running annual team sporting events in Hawaii, second to football!

The first race began on the 12^th of October 1952, the race starts at Hale o lono beach which is on the island of Molokai and goes through the Kaiwi channel ands at the Hilton Hawaiian village Oahu.

The Molokai Hoe  represents one of Hawaii’s and the Polynesia’s most important and historic cultural outrigger canoe paddlers from around the world.

Molokai Hoe Race Start

How did outrigger canoeing start?

Outrigger canoes were originally thought of by the Austronesia people from south east Asia for transporting themselves eastwards. to Polynesia and New Zealand. Westwards across the Indian ocean to Madagascar.

Even in these modern times outrigger canoes are still used among the Austonesian groups which include Malays, Micronesian, Polynesian and Melanesian people.

Outside of Austronesian groups outrigger canoes are used by the Sinhala in Sri lanka, where they are called Oruwa, they are also used in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Also in the Philippines outrigger canoes are called Bangka and are often fitted with petrol engines, so from the usage of the outrigger canoe for essential everyday life the canoes started to be used in sporting events such as outrigger canoe racing!

There are numerous clubs around the globe and in Hawaii it is the state sport and each year they hold the Molokai Hoe race, it is an event which the whole family can enjoy.

Hawaii Tradition

Many families participate in regatta’s which are held in the summer months, children as young as 6 have been known to compete!

The Molokai Hoe is a 69 km men’s race there is also the Na Wahine the same race for women and the Queen lili koualani which is held near Kona, Big island.

Six person canoes are the most common used for the sport, single person canoes are also very popular two and four person canoes are available and sometimes two six person canoes are rigged together like a catamaran to make a 12 person double canoe.

Some canoes are still made of traditional materials but mostly they are made of glass-reinforced plastic, in ancient times the canoes were carved from the trunks of very old Koa trees, these canoes are still in use today in Hawaii.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT??

Take time to learn about Hawaii’s historical past, visit sacred sites, explore the Waimea valley, hike through native Hawaiian botanical gardens, then take a dip in a waterfall.

Experience local Hawaiian cuisine, tour an Hawaiian garden where you will find many tropical plants, crops and flowers, journey across an 800 year old ancient Hawaiian fish pond, visit a secret beach, see the Hawaiian sea turtles in their natural environment, go bird watching at native Hawaiian wetlands, learn many Hawaiian folk tales and legends.

All these wonderful activities are available on a tour or explore yourself at leisure, Oahu has so much to offer everyone, other than the hotel pool or the beach!

After all that exploring why not experience a piece of happiness from some of the best restaurants in town with a fun filled eating tour?? Hole in the wall tour discover the foods of Hawaii!

You will visit several different ethnic eateries where you sample the best food they have on the menu, after you have eaten all you can, why not go dance the night away at one of Oahu’s many night spots???!

Oahu Hawaii is Simply Beautiful

After all the day’s activities  relax in the evening with an authentic Hawaiian Hula show where you will find the finest Hawaiian performers, the evening starts with a torch lighting ceremony and a blowing of a conch shell!

There’s so much more to Oahu than meets the eye!!