International rowing teams from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Tahiti and the UK will join 75 American crews — including more than 60 from Hawai‘i — at the 2016 Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races. As the world’s largest long-distance outrigger canoe event, this five-day competition begins on Sept. 5 and showcases a wide range of race categories and levels of paddling skill.
The program features Waʻa Kaukahi (single-hull canoes), where women paddle an 18-mile course from Kailua Bay to Honaunau, and men return the same distance back to Kailua Bay. Waʻa Kaulua (double-hull canoes) races, Teen single-hull events and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) competitions are scheduled across the multiday regatta, offering divisions for different ages and crew configurations.
One of the marquee events is the Aliʻi Challenge, contested in single-hull canoes with 12-person teams; the field also includes two mixed crews that add variety and excitement to the competition. New for this year is the Hulakai OC4 Sprint Relay, a fast-paced relay from Kailua Pier. Rules for the sprint require each team to include a short stand-up paddling segment before crossing the finish line, creating an added tactical and spectator-friendly element.
The race week highlights both elite competition and community participation, drawing experienced paddlers and newcomers alike. Crews must demonstrate endurance and teamwork over long distances, while sprint and relay formats reward speed, coordination and strategic transitions. The variety of events ensures there is something for every type of paddler, from youth teams to seasoned veterans.
The Queen Liliʻuokalani races are organized by the historic Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club, which has deep roots in Hawaiʻi’s paddling community. Founded in 1929 with an original membership of 20 men and 12 women, the club hosted its first regatta in 1932 at Napoʻopoʻo Bay and has since been central to preserving and promoting Hawaiian outrigger canoe traditions. The event continues that legacy by blending cultural heritage with modern competitive racing.
Visitors and participants can expect a busy schedule that balances long-distance endurance tests with shorter, more intense sprints and relays. In addition to the primary race categories, auxiliary activities often include shore-side gatherings and community events that celebrate paddling culture and provide opportunities for teams and supporters to connect.
With international teams joining a strong local presence from across Hawai‘i and the mainland United States, the 2016 Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races promise a memorable week of competition, camaraderie and cultural celebration on the water.
