When you stay at any of our South Shore Kauai vacation rentals or visit Poipu Beach, look out to the ocean for one of the fastest outrigger canoes on Kauai. Named Ka Makani `O Maha`ulepu after one of our favorite Kauai beaches, she proudly bears our name as the newest member of the Parrish Kauai team.
The 6-man Bradley Lightning outrigger canoe, built on Oahu by master canoe builder Sonny Bradley, just received a traditional Hawaiian blessing at Kukui`ula Bay Small Boat Harbor. Conducted by Kelvin Ho, the blessing included an honor chant, placing of lei on the canoe and pouring of `awa and salt over the nose. At the ceremony we formed a circle holding hands before lifting Ka Makani `O Maha`ulepu above our hearts. Six crew members including company owner JP Parrish, paddled her out to sea and dropped an offering in the ocean before returning to shore.
Ka Makani O Maha`ulepu is now on permanent loan to the Kukui`ula Outrigger Canoe Club. We look forward to her upcoming competitions including the Na Wahine O Ke Kai (for women) and Moloka`i Hoe (for men) championship races. Both of these 40 mile races between Moloka`i and Oahu are known as the longest and most grueling sporting events in Hawaii. Seven time Moloka`i Hoe champions Shell Va`a of Tahiti have won using the Bradley Lightning showing how fast she handles on the ocean with a great team.
Visitors everywhere can see daily Kukui`ula Outrigger Canoe Club practice from 6:00pm to 6:30pm on our Kauai webcam. During your vacation, we also invite you to stop by the Kukui`ula Bay Small Boat Harbor for a closer look.
For all of us, Ka Makani `O Maha`ulepu represents the spirit of Parrish Kauai and the great teamwork that is part of our daily life helping you plan the best Kauai vacation.
Want to know more about the sport of Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling? We invite you to read Outrigger Paddling 101 written by JP Parrish, an avid paddler himself and Moloka`i Hoe competitor with the Kukui`ula Outrigger Canoe Club team.
Photo Credit: Kenjic Studio