Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai Championship, Sunday, September 28
The Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai, or “Women of the Sea,” is the first of two Hawaiian World Championships of outrigger paddling. It is for women only. This 40-mile race, from Moloka’i to Oahu, traverses the treacherous Ka’iwi Channel, with ocean swells of 10 to 20 feet! Sometimes, just starting the race is no easy feat.
This test of endurance, courage, and teamwork is not for the faint of heart. In fact, until 1979, it wasn’t even for women! The men’s championship, the Moloka’i Hoe, started in 1952. However, in those days, coaches and race officials doubted whether women could cross the perilous Ka’iwi Channel.
Veteran Moloka’i paddler Penny Martin, now 72, recalls growing up watching the Moloka’i Hoe and hearing her coach say, “Women will never do the channel.” Never say never!
“Most of the women who were padding at the time were doing all the races and watching men do the channel,” she said. “Why not us, right?”
Breaking Boundaries
Finally, at the 1975 Moloka’i Hoe race, a team of renegade women decided to paddle the channel along with the men. They weren’t officially in the race, yet they were officially making history, showing naysayers that women could indeed cross the channel. Four years later, in 1979, that fiery spirit was channeled into creating the first Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai. A crossing once restricted to men was now open to all.
ARE Tahiti is proud to have a boat in this race, with Tahitians Iloha Eychenne and Vaimiti Maoni and Hawaiians Angie Dolan and Aunty Donna, a Hawaiian legend in her 60s. They are carrying on a tradition that women can be proud of. Race Director Luana Froiseth knows this firsthand. She has paddled across the Ka’iwi Channel nearly 30 times!
Meet us at the finish line, Sunday, September 28. Check nawahineokekai.com for details. And visit www.aretahiti.com to learn more about ARE TAHITI canoes. Or check out ShopOutrigger.com, your ultimate destination for everything a paddler might need, including canoes, clothing, and accessories.
