Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Races, August 28 – September 1, 2025
Hosting an outrigger race is a big undertaking. Hosting a race and festival as big as Queen Lili’uokalani is an especially enormous task. It involves dedicated staff, tremendous coordination, and a support team of volunteers. Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club, sponsor of the Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Races, knows this all too well. They’ve been hosting this race since its inception, in 1972.
Once a one-day event, it has grown into a five-day event, attracting 2,500 paddlers, plus their families, coaches, and other spectators.
“Kona will be a mecca on Labor Day Weekend—the place to be!” says race organizer Amy Young, who has worked tirelessly with a team that includes race director Mike Atwood, race commissioner Nicki Lacey-Enos, and many enthusiastic volunteers.
More Than Just a Race
“It’s far more than just a race,” says Amy. “It’s about people seeing old friends and meeting new people”—yes, a great opportunity to connect, enjoy a true festival, and experience all the Hawaiian hospitality that goes with it.
Kai ‘Opua has been a mainstay of paddling in Hawaii since 1934, when it won its first major state-wide regatta, held at Napo’opo’o Bay, out-distancing all the Big Island and Oahu clubs. Since then, they’ve been devoted not only to nurturing authentic Hawai’ian canoe racing, but also providing programs for competitive, recreational, and junior paddlers alike. In fact, the Kai ‘Opua Youth Paddling and Racing program is proud to provide “a well-balanced competitive sports and cultural environment that teaches, develops and nurtures youth in the sport and science of canoe racing and Hawaiian culture.”
ARE TAHITI is proud to support Kai ‘Opua efforts, as a sponsor, along with other clubs and businesses.
Visit https://qlcanoerace.com for event details and www.aretahiti.com/canoes to learn more about ARE TAHITI canoes. And visit ShopOutrigger.com, your ultimate destination for everything a paddler needs, including canoes, clothing, and accessories.
