Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Races, August 28 – September 1, 2025
In Hawaii’s rich history, the name Queen Lili’uokalani will never be forgotten. Outrigger race organizers have made sure of that, naming this epic event in honor of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch.
“Queen Lili” is the largest long-distance outrigger canoe race in the world, with a long and illustrious history—more than 50 years of paddling, starting in 1972. Now a main event in outrigger paddling, it began as more of a “prelim”— a proving ground for women training for Na Wahine O Ke Kai and men training for Molokai Hoe—both grueling, long-distance races from Molokai to Oahu.
The first race fell on the Queen’s birthday, September 2. Since then, the race has given birth to some of the world’s very best paddlers. And it has grown tremendously since its humble beginnings.
“Queen Lili’uokalani” now hosts more than 2,500 paddlers from all over the world—Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Florida, California, Canada, Brazil, and Hawaii and Tahiti.
Growing From One Day to Four
What’s more, this spectacle has grown from a one-day event to four days of racing, starting with the entertaining warmup, the OC4 races, on Thursday. Then, Saturday hosts the main event, the strenuous single-hull canoe races, which cover 18 miles between Kailua and Honaunau. Sunday, there is a double-hull, OC1/V1, OC2 and SUP races. And finally, Monday is the Kupuna Classic, from Kailua-Kona to Keauhou Bay—for 50-year-olds and older! These paddlers, who are still paddling as strong as the current, are anything but history!
This signature event is hosted by the Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club (www.kaiopua.org) with the sponsorship of many other participating clubs and businesses, including ARE TAHITI.
Visit https://qlcanoerace.com for event details and www.aretahiti.com 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.
