Pacific Paddler December 2015 - (Page 10)

Na Wahine CANCELLED A few crews came down to Hale O Lono to unrig and stack canoes. What should have been an evening of anticipation turned into one of disappointment and sadness when Hawaiian Airlines Na Wahine O Ke Kai was cancelled WE ASKED THE NA WAHINE O KE KAI ORGANIZERS ABOUT THEIR DECISION TO CANCEL THIS YEAR'S RACE HOW DID THE DECISION TO CANCEL COME ABOUT? Safety of the paddlers is the primary concern. It was a combination of things that made the conditions so extremely dangerous. The direction of the waves and the currents, the size of the waves, and the gale force winds. It was not an easy decision to make for our committee; this is only the second race cancelled in 37 years. Fortunately, we have the support of our paddlers, who respect and understand the unpredictably of the ocean, and for that we are grateful. DID YOU HAVE MUCH CHOICE OR WAS THE DECISION MADE FOR YOU BY OTHERS? Above, a not so happy team from Japan poses for one last photo with the canoe they were to race in to Oahu. Below, a group of un-riggers form Waikiki Surf Club, Hui Lanakila and others point towards an unruly Kaiwi Channel. While we were extremely disappointed that ocean conditions prevented us from making the crossing this year, we are comforted by the fact that the decision was made under the recommendation of head official and safety boat Captain Mike DeRego of the Maggie Jo under the advisement of the U.S. Coast Guard, who we depend on to ensure the safety of more than 800 women. We appreciate the concerns expressed by Doug Barbieto and John Kanaulu and their medical team, the expertise of Coaches Kelly Fey of Team Bradley, Kamoa Kalama of Kailua Canoe Club, and Mike Holmes, water safety expert and escort boat driver, for their courageous support to consider safety before pleasure. WHAT WAS THE IMPACT OF THE CANCELATION TO MOLOKAI AND BOATS LEFT ON THE BEACH? With the Molokai Hoe scheduled two weeks after the women's race we were able to leave the canoes at Halo O Lono, and almost all of the canoes were paddled back to Oahu in the men's race. A big mahalo to Young Brothers for helping us return the remaining canoes to Oahu. HOW DID THE PADDLERS GET BACK? We are very thankful that Hawaiian Airlines was able to add four additional return flights on Sunday. All the paddlers that wanted to get back on Sunday were able to do so. MOLLY MOSHER-CATES, NA WAHINE O KE KAI COMMITTEE 10 PACiFiC PADDLER DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler December 2015

Pailolo Challenge
Na Wahine Cancelled
Hawaiian Airlines Molokai Hoe
Catalina 2015
Greater Montreal Outrigger Challenge
Na Holo Kai:Oahu to Kauai
American Samoa in the Channel
3 stretches every paddler should know
Ikaika Hawaii rowing program
Canoes are “Whos”

Pacific Paddler December 2015