Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Aloha Lahaina Canoe Club paddlers, Ohana and friends,
In coordination with the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association and all it’s clubs, Lahaina Canoe Club has canceled it’s 2020 regatta season because of Covid-19 virus. The ‘Long Distance’ season, beginning mid-August, will be reevaluated June 15. Rest assured, the moment the club is allowed to resume operations in whatever capacity, we will make that information available.
The most important consideration is for the safety and well-being of our paddlers, their ohana and ultimately our community. With the information we all have regarding the virus – insufficient testing or vaccine, a rapidly evolving and uncertain health crisis, time and money pressures of sport participation – our association voted unanimously to cancel the regatta season.
Paddling associations on the Big Island and Oahu have canceled their 2020 regatta seasons as well as the State Canoe Championships. Pailolo, Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe have not officially cancelled at this point.
Please note, when the beaches are reopened for recreational activity, that will not clear canoe clubs to begin operations. Local government will advise when activities such as club paddling may resume. At that time, watch our social media for the next paddle schedule.
For updates on the 2020 paddling season, watch Lahaina Canoe Club social media page and Lahaina News.
Thank you for understanding. On behalf of Lahaina Canoe Club Board of Directors, stay safe and healthy.
Imua Lahaina,
Mark Shimer
Lahaina Canoe Club President
Lahaina Canoe Club
Lahaina Canoe Club was the first canoe club founded on the Westside of Maui back in 1971 by founding committee heads George Paoa, Sam Kaai, Bob McDonald and Barbara Long. LCC is now a 501c3 ,nonprofit organization, located at Hanakao’o Beach Park (AKA: Canoe Beach, next to the Hyatt) in Lahaina on the island of Maui.
Our focus is on preserving the ancient Hawaiian and Polynesian culture. We continue to follow the founding members ideology of perpetuating these cultures by educating na keiki (kids) through proper technique of hoe wa’a (paddle canoe), ‘olelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian language), and community outreach programs.
Lahaina Canoe Club is a active member of the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association and a associated club of the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. We participate in the MCHCA regattas every Saturday from June to July with a total of 8 regattas every year. The season is finished off with the HCRA State Companionship.
Lahaina Canoe Club also participates in the long distance race season that starts after the HCRA State Companionship and includes local, national, and international races. Click here to see this years race schedule.
Lahaina Canoe Clubs members are as young as 8 years old and go up from there. Our main goals are to engage, promote, encourage participation, provide education and instruction in Hawaiian and Polynesian culture through hoe wa’a and other related activities on a local, national, and international level.
One of our most popular community outreach programs is assisting Maui Cultural Lands, Inc with their Honokowai Valley Restoration Project. Maui Cultural Lands primary goal is reforestation of the Honokowai Valley and the Ka’anapali area with native and endemic Hawaiian plant species. Click here for more information about Maui Cultural Lands, Inc.
