Paddlers Raise Thousands

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Community Contributed by Clare Seeger Mawae

After a couple-year hiatus, the Molokai Challenge was brought back to life on Aug. 13 by two young Molokai SUP paddlers, 11-year-old Josie and 9-year-old Alex Mawae. Sixteen-year-olds Shauden Pedro and Kaela Pereira joined the event and all of them did so well despite challenging conditions of the crossing. In effort to raise money for charities of their choice, Youth in Motion relay teams crossed the Pailolo Channel from Maui to Molokai. They then continued their journey independently from Kamalo to Malama Park where six-man canoes joined in and paddled the last leg with them.

The purpose of this event is to inspire youth in following their dreams and realizing that no matter what challenges may be presented, opportunities do exist. The crossing from Maui is a chance for adults to give back to the next generation and a chance for youth under the adult chaperones to go out and accomplish challenges while inspiring other youth that they can do the same. At this year’s Molokai Challenge, participating keiki athletes raised well over $2000 in pledges to donate to their chosen charities.

Last Saturday on Maui, the three stand-up paddle teams gathered at D.T. Flemmings Beach Park, while participating kite boarders prepared themselves at an adjacent beach. The winds were perfect to start paddling to Molokai, since a southwest swell was running and causing turbulence with a strong current in a northeast direction making tactical decisions important. Out past mid-channel, the winds picked up and the swells and wind were lined in a perfect direction to make it over to Kamalo.

As Molokai was approaching with three miles to the destination, the Molokai Challenge lived up to its name, with shifts in wind and swells. The last three miles took almost 1.5 hours to complete because of the challenging factors, making crossing the channel seem quite easy. Four hours and 25 minutes later Josie Mawae touched shore with a huge smile on her face. Team Pa`a Hana with Shauden Pedro continued past Kamalo due to the shifting wind and then pulled out in line with Rice Patch. Two kiting teams had a blast making the most of the wind and swells giving an incredible air show at Kamalo.

Malama Park came alive with the kupuna singing and playing their instruments, dancing hula, talking story bringing forth flowing ideas of the future of this cultural park.
This was an amazing experience for the young paddlers and after the crossing was over, they were made it quite clear that this was just the beginning in the long distance racing quest. Both Josie and Alex Mawae are ready and set to mark their calendars for 2012 with more events and for sure doing the Molokai Challenge again, but this time with more experience and training under their belt.

For more information on SUP racing and/or trying the sport on Molokai you can contact Clare Seeger Mawae from Stand Up Paddle Association of Molokai and Youth in Motion via email at clare@youthinmotion.org.

Keiki Surf Holds Final Meet of the Summer

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

Community Contributed

By Minka Nelson and Peter Angelsea

Saturday, July 9 was a perfect day for the final Keiki Surf Meet because the tide was rising for most of the morning, pushing in waves with one to two foot faces. Several new faces arrived for the final meet, as well as some old friends who moved off-island a few years ago. It was a chance for everyone to enjoy the ocean together and show off skills and tricks.

The 6-and-under surfers hit the water first to show their stuff. Several non-swimmers stood up on their surfboards for the first time and rode to the waiting arms of a family member. It is amazing to see how these babies love the water and how well they can balance.

The 7-and-8 division followed and did their thing with style! Next was the 9- and-10-year-olds, most of whom were able to catch their own waves. Finally, it was time for the big kids to see who would get the best waves. Most of them were catching their own waves too, and paddled back out as fast as they could in a race against the clock.

Trophies and prizes were laid out after the meet and the kids had a hard time keeping their hands off. A pulewas offered in thanks for the great day, good sportsmanship and wonderful food.

While everyone ate lunch the surfers were called up by division and awarded goodie bags filled with stickers, hats, T-shirts and other great prizes. Four surfboards and four body boards were given out, as well as trophies for first through fourth place in each division. Every surfer got prizes, applause and photos of their proud smiles. Long-time supporters Don and Lavone Pahia hand-delivered two boxes of prizes from Quiksilver on Oahu to encourage the surfers and share in the fun.

Keep surfing keiki and we’ll see you next summer!

Results

Divisions                 MEET 1  MEET 2  MEET 3    TOTAL POINTS  RANK        
6 & Under                    
Kailani Bicoy                  1000       1000       860          2860        1          
Kristen Oswald               860          730           0          1590        2    
Kauwila Lopez-Aglian      0         860           610           1470        3  
Khloe Bicoy                    200       670       555             1425        4
Kahula Kahokuloa          0           0         1000             1000        5         
Matthew McGuire            200       200       555              955          6           
Donovan Bicoy               200       200           500          900          7               
Kanikaio Inciong            0           0           730             730          8
Leedan Lorico-Place        0       200           500             700          9
Kamele Kahokuloa         0           0           670             670         10    
La'akea Inciong             0           0           610             610         11
Kaipu Kahokuloa            0           0           500             500         12
Ivan Yap                       0           0           500             500         12
Waiikaika                      200            0          0             200         13

7&8 Divison                    
Keeya Bicoy                  1000     1000          860        2860           1    
Tylea Cuello                  610       730          610         1950           2         
Jonny Lopez-Agliam       610       555          730         1895           3    
Alex Mawae                   670       670          555         1895           4    
Slater Oswald                860       860              0         1720           5
Kamalani Adolpho          730       610         0             1340           6
Beverly Ludgate             555           0          555        1110           7    
Virtuous Kaahanui          0           0        1000            1000           8
Kukiai Kaopio                0           0          670             670            9     
Sirius Lumin                  0       610              0             610            10        
Miracle Kaahanui            0           0          610             610            10

S9&10 Division                    
Kanalu Lopez-Agliam      860    1000       1000            2860           1
Kelsey-Lee Bicoy            1000      730         610          2340           2
Marlina Pupuhi-Kamai     555      860         860           2275           3    
Kaeo Waits                    670      555         730           1955           4    
Waiohinu Cuello             730      555             0           1285           5    
Michelle Mcguire             488      583         670           1741            6  
Josie Mawae                  488     488         555             1531           7            
Kaydence-Lee Oswald     555     730            0              1285           8
Rafael Adolpho              610      610            0             1220           9
Ioana Ludgate               555          0    500                 1055         10
Heavenly Kaahanui         0          0        600                 600          11   
Elkan Bishaw                  583          0        0                 583          12        
Kalena Vaivai                 0      555            0                  555         13            

                    
11&12 Divison                    
Noah Archuleta               860          860      860              2580      1           
Decker Bicoy                  1000          730      730            2460       2
Hojo Pou                        0         1000        1000            2000       3
Lelia Cuello                    730           610      555            1895       4    
Kilikea Lopez                  0           670          610            1280      5
Barbara Ludgate            670               0      500             1170       6                
Sage Perez                    0            610         555             1165      7
Anela Montemayor          0               0          670             670       8
Kahanu Kaahanui            0               0           610            610       9

Keiki Surf Kicks Off Summer

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Community Contributed

By Peter Angelsea
       
E komo mai! The first surf meet of the Summer Surf Series had 28 keiki surfers ages two to 13. They surfed their way through the day with a nice rising tide which brought perfect little knee-high sets. The weather was light trade winds, with the sun shining and the rain to cool us all off in between sets. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of this event brought to you by Ko Molokai Keiki `O Ke Kai and Friendly Isle United Fund.
Great surfing tricks were displayed by the youngsters: switch-foot, the coffin and even a standing-lotus. Many of the rides went all the way to the beach. Friends and parents enjoyed longboarding with the kids at the end of the meet.
This all couldn’t have happened without the help of the community at-large. Every year the ohana of Waialua opens up their neighborhood for the pure enjoyment of the keiki surfers and their ohana. And every year keiki surfers, friends, family and volunteers enjoy the nice beach, grassy area and fun-sized surf to practice on. We all want to thank everyone involved for the continued support of Ko Molokai Keiki `O Ke Kai Surf Meet!
The next surf meet will be on June 25 and it’s not too late to join the fun. Children who were age 12 or younger as of January 1, 2011 can participate (if you turned 13 after Jan. 1, 2011 you can still join). The last meet, with potluck pa`ina and awards ceremony afterwards, will be held July 9. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. and the meets begin at 10 a.m. Call 558-8110 for more info. We hope to see all you keiki surfers there!

SUP Not Dampened by Rain

Monday, March 7th, 2011

SUPAM News Release

Makani Ikaika O Molokai may not have had the winds blowing in the first race of the season, but the blessings of the gentle rain instead prevailed. The long course from Kamalo was cancelled due to shifting winds, so the competitors headed to Rice Patch for the start of the short course a distance of three miles. With a turtle in the shallows flagging the start line, and the whales breaching in the distance, the competitors took to the water for the first race of the season.
 
The younger competitors chose to start from Ali`i fishpond in the family fun division since the wind was not in their favor for the official short course. As the short course competitors hit the turn to the final stretch to Hotel Molokai, the family fun division commenced.