Kamehameha Canoe Club

Greetings from Hilo! I got here on Friday and have been going great guns since I got here. One of my goals on this trip was to do a photo essay of a paddling event (canoe). This one is called a "special" as it is a qualifying event, but the paddlers are under the age of 12. It is not considered to be a true competion. In order to receive awards, medals, etc. they need to be 12 or older and officially registered. But, this is an important part of the process.

You can go to the home page for the Kamehameha Canoe Club (of Hilo Bay) to read up on all the ins and outs of how to compete, and so forth.

In the meantime, enjoy the images. I hope I've told the story for you here of yesterday's event.

When not in use, the canoes are all parked along the shore safely.

This one is a canoe made from koa wood. I thought it was exceptionally beautiful.

Number 55.

Here's a link for the Hawaiian Dictionary to look up all these words. Off the top of my head, mana means, "power" but not in the western sense. It has more to do with spirit and energy.

My younger sister, Teresa and her youngest of 3 children, Rowan.

Here, the adults who oversee this young paddling crew get ready for the "pule", which means prayer. They need to "wake the canoe up" and ask for it's readiness for a race.

The mana, or spirit I could feel as an on looker during this prayer and concluding chant was very intense and moving for me.

Awestuck by it all. It's a lot to at take in at one time.

Friends of family looking on.

Detail of one of the paddles.

It's reaady now and they carry it down to the shore.

Since the paddlers are young and still learning, it is difficult for them to hold their canoe in place while waiting for for the start, they need to keep the canoe from crossing the start line, hence there are "swampers" who help to hold the canoe in place.

And, like any other kind of competition, there are nerves and a lot of waiting. The teams who position themselves earlier in these lanes like to choose the lanes closer to the shore lines as the current is not as much to contend with.

A lot of waiting...

And, they are OFF!!