Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Races, August 28 – September 1, 2025
It is no coincidence ARE TAHITI is a proud sponsor of the world’s largest long-distance canoe race, with more than 2,500 paddlers enjoying five days of racing and other festivities. There are races for all ages, with more juniors than ever competing in this year’s event. This is very much in line with ARE TAHITI’s mission to grow the sport of Va’a.
This mission includes more than just providing the highest-quality canoes and offering expert coaching clinics. It also consists of sponsoring races worldwide and supporting Juniors’ programs. “Queen Lili” helps ARE TAHITI fulfill those two important goals.
“It’s so gratifying to see many juniors participating in the Queen Lili’uokalani race this year,” says ARE TAHITI executive Francesca Altomonte. “Our corporate mission is to help grow the sport of outrigger canoeing, and there’s no better way to do that.”
On Sunday, Teens Will Rock!
The shores of the Kona Coast will come alive Labor Day weekend with the sound of paddles hitting the water. And Sunday, August 31, will feature a day full of Teen Single Hull, Double Hull, OC1/V1, OC2, and SUP at Wa’a Kaulua, with all these 5-mile races starting and finishing at the Kailua Pier. (See Complete race schedule here.)
What’s more, thousands of people unable to attend this special event will have a chance to view it, thanks to Ocean Paddler TV, fast becoming the information hub of the paddling community. They’ll bring this spectacle into the homes, cellphones, and tablets of many young outrigger enthusiasts.
This signature event is hosted by the Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club (www.kaiopua.org) with the sponsorship of other participating clubs and businesses, including ARE TAHITI.
Visit https://qlcanoerace.com for complete event details and race history and www.aretahiti.com/canoes to learn more about ARE TAHITI canoes. Or see what’s available at ShopOutrigger.com, for everything a paddler might need, including canoes, clothing, and accessories.
