Tovin Lapan
Outrigger canoes have been a part of Hawaiian civilization since its inception. Afterall, the first inhabitants of the isolated Pacific archipelago arrived using large, sailing versions of the vessels.
Today, outrigger canoe racing is the state sport of Hawaii and many local high schools field teams. Annual summer regattas are popular, sometimes drawing the participation of entire families with age groups from 6 to 60-plus.
There are a handful of major canoe races each year, including the 43-mile Molokai Hoe across the Kaiwi Channel from Oahu to Molokai, and the Queen Liliuokalani Race held near Kona on the Island of Hawaii.
As the Hawaii tourism industry has increasingly embraced providing an authentic island experience, hotel and resorts have added more cultural programming, and that extends to outdoor activities including new outrigger canoe experiences. Recently, two Hawaii properties added canoe programming, joining a selection of others offering the water activity.
The St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kauai introduced a new outrigger canoe to its stable of water activities in July. The canoe is designed to ride the ocean waves in the picturesque Hanalei Bay, and the resort will offer daily excursions ($40 per person). The canoe, which was built on Hawaii Island, can hold four paddlers and a steersman. Participants learn how to paddle, work in unison and glide the canoe into surf. The guide also provides information on the area around the north shore of Kauai and Hawaiian sailing and ocean traditions.
The new single-hull outrigger canoe is more aerodynamic than other outriggers and is good for entering waves with some speed, according to Doug Weston-Webb, owner and operator of the Hanalei Beach Activities Company at St. Regis Princeville.
"Our guests have a natural curiosity to learn and want to experience as much as they can about Hawaii," Weston-Webb said. "The outrigger canoe activity is a very popular family experience. It teaches working as a team, as everyone in the canoe must paddle to move the boat in the water or maneuver into a wave. ... Our Hawaiian outrigger canoe program allows us to share the cultural heritage and history of Hawaii and its strong and interrelated connections to the sea."
On Maui, Kaanapali Beach Hotel debuted its paddling canoe experience earlier this summer. The new canoe is called Kaleopookela, meaning "the voice of excellence," and, according to the hotel, is the first ever paddling canoe experience for tourists owned and operated by a hotel on Kaanapali Beach.
On the tour, guests have the opportunity to venture out beyond Puu Kekaa and learn about Maui above and underwater from a Hawaiian perspective. Experienced guides canoe passengers through the ocean and the mystical places of Maui.
The paddling tours launch from the hotel oceanfront at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. daily. In addition to group tours, a a private charter tour is offered where participants sightsee, snorkel and participate in a cultural tour. A group tour (four persons per canoe ride, minimum three go out) is $87 for 90 minutes. A private charter tour (four persons per canoe ride, minimum two go out) is $105 per hour or fraction thereof. Children ages 5 to 12 years with an adult receive 15% off.
St. Regis Princeville Resort and Kaanapali Beach Hotel are just the two latest properties to add outrigger canoe programming. Other resorts around the Aloha State also offer similar canoe excursions including Hotel Wailea, Fairmont Kea Lani, Grand Wailea, Four Seasons Maui at Wailea and Turtle Bay Resort.
While outrigger canoeing is a unique discipline with different coordination and style of paddling from kayaking and standard canoeing, Weston-Webb said the sport is very accessible.
"Pre-vacation training exercises can include upper core conditioning to strengthen your shoulders and arms," he said. "Guests will learn paddle strokes and responsibility of each paddler in the canoe ... and they can just expect to have fun."