Named in honor of the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Liliuokalani, the first race in 1972 fell on the Queen’s birthday (September 2). The race grew from those early years into now the World’s Largest Long Distance Canoe Race. Kai Opua Canoe Club hosts over 2,500 paddlers from around the world including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada and numerous states including California and Florida.
Held each year on Labor Day Weekend, in addition to four days of racing, the celebration also includes a torchlight parade on Alii Drive and an awards luau.
We hope to see you on the pier August 31st through September 4!