King Kamehameha Day Regatta sponsored by Kailua Canoe Club
EVENT DATE: JUNE 8, 2025
Race / Club Background:
The wa`a (canoe) history of the ahupua`a of Kailua has been
celebrated since time immemorial. The first
known accounts of voyagers in Kailua come from mo`olelo (stories) like the 11th
century travels of Kauluakalana and Paumakua as well as the scene from the Epic
Hi`iakaikapoliopele where Hi`iaka marvels at seeing a koa forest offshore at
Oneawa, but is really referring to a multitude of koa canoes. Kailua has a long
history of wa`a tradition. Kailua Canoe
Club honors this tradition by hosting the annual King Kamehameha Day Regatta in
Kailua at the `ili of Kawailoa. Held on
the weekend before the annual holiday celebrating Kamehameha I, the Regatta
recognizes the day as a remembrance of Hawai`i`s history, of our kupuna (elders)
and ali`i (chiefs), and our unity behind this place we call home. We honor Kailua and our history and know that "I ka wa ma mua, ka wa ma hope," meaning we cannot move forward without knowing
where we came from. From those of us
from Kailua, we welcome our wa`a `ohana to the home of Kauluakalana and
Paumakua - welina mai nei!
ABOUT KAILUA CANOE CLUB
Kailua Canoe Club was incorporated in 1972 as an offshoot of
the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, who owned the racing canoe Kalanakila purchased
from Pops Puakea. Kailua Canoe Club`s
mission is to promote and provide for the member, paddler, family and
community: The sport of canoe paddling and other ocean-related activities; A
sense of family and community in conjunction with the ocean; Education of
safety, respect, and knowledge of the ocean and equipment
We strive to paddle with passion and excellence, and to live
the values represented by the word "Aloha"
A Akahai - Kindness,
expressed with tenderness
L Lokahi - Unity,
expressed with harmony
O `Olu`olu - Agreeable, expressed with pleasantness
H Ha`aha`a - Humility, expressed with modesty
A Ahonui - Patience,
expressed with perseverance
Kailua hopes to continue to carry on the legacy of the Club`s
founders Cliff Ornellas and James Marciel whose mission was to be aggressive
and competitive while being fair. KCC was founded with our koa racing canoe
Kalanakila and 1 six-man fiberglass training canoe (5 seats), affectionately
called "The Water Wiggle" Kailua still owns all of its original Malia
fiberglass training canoes still being used to train keiki. Kailua comes from a family-oriented club of
less than 100 paddlers to an extended `ohana of over 400 paddlers from 8 to 80
years old.
