28 Apr 12th Annual Wa‘a Kiakahi Festival, June 3-5
Kā‘anapali Beach Resort will welcome 60 of the best watermen and women who practice ancient Hawaiian canoe sailing at the 12th annual Wa‘a Kiakahi festival, June 3-5. Events will include traditional Hawaiian ceremonies, sailing canoe rides, and educational talks about celestial navigation and water skills.
Created by the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association (HSCA), Wa‘a Kiakahi is an event dedicated to traditional Hawaiian canoe sailing and the education of its history. Contrary to ordinary outrigger canoe paddling, HSCA races honor how the ancient Hawaiians actually traveled between the islands: members do not make crew changes and they travel every island channel that connects the Hawaiian Islands.
“Just to be part of the canoe, and part of the culture that has given us everything, it fills our hearts up… the greatness of the culture and the canoe… to share that is why we are here” said Trevor Cabell.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, June 3, 3:00 p.m.
Arrival of sailing canoes on Kā‘anapali Beach and a traditional Hawaiian welcome ceremony after 10, six-man crews complete an approximate 27-mile race from Kahului Harbor.
Saturday, June 4, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Sailing canoe rides for all ages, picture storyboards and “talk story” opportunities with race team members (including former Hōkūle‘a crew members) about celestial navigation and the history of the Hawaiian sailing canoes.
Sunday, June 5, 8:00 a.m.
Sailing canoe send-off and traditional Hawaiian farewell ceremony for 10, six-man crews as they race approximately 27 miles from Kā‘anapali to the island of Moloka‘i.
“Kā‘anapali Beach Resort Association is proud to continue its 12 year position as title sponsor for Wa’a Kiakahi,” said Shelley Kekuna, executive director for the Kā‘anapali Beach Resort Association. “With Ka‘anapali Beach Resort attracting so many visitors wanting to combine fun and Hawaiian culture, partnering with an event that’s focused on the public education of a sport tied to ancient transportation, is a natural fit.”
Coinciding with this year’s Wa‘a Kiakahi festival will be the Second Annual Maui Jim OceanFest, June 3-5 (http://www.mauijimoceanfest.com #mauijimoceanfest). Over the course of two days, teams and individuals will compete in a unique ocean-lifeguard-style event that showcases the breadth and diversity of a wide range of international and Hawaiian-style competitive ocean sports. Kā‘anapali Beach Resort Association is a named partner in this event.
The mission of the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association (HSCA) is to learn, revive, educate and practice the ancient Hawaiian skills and values as they relate to sailing canoes and the Hawaiian culture. HSCA is the only Hawaiian sailing canoe association in the world and is celebrating its 28th anniversary in 2016. For more information about HSCA, call 808-927-7989.