Molokai Crews Compete at World’s Largest Outrigger Regatta

By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor
Several Molokai crews braved the relentless Kona sun for over 18 miles as they raced between Kailua and Honaunau on Hawaii Island over the weekend.
“It was hot,” said Lohiao Paoa, who competed in the open men’s six-man crew for Molokai’s Wa’akapaemua Canoe Club.
“The training we did the last four months has really helped,” said Paoa. In the race, the crew focused on keeping things simple and not trying to get too caught up in battling every canoe, he explained.
“We just focused on trusting in our training, trusting in our stroke,” he said.
The race has been held annually since 1972 in honor of Queen Lili’uokalani’s Sept.…