River Hogs on Salt Water: Lōkahi's Adventures at the Aloha Classic

Now, let me tell you, folks, there's a heap of difference between navigating a steamboat down the Mississippi and these outrigger canoe shenanigans I witnessed out here in the Sandwich Islands. But human nature, it’s the same everywhere – folks love a good race, especially when there’s water involved and a chance to prove you can paddle faster than the next fellow. This particular aquatic fracas was called the Aloha Classic Long Distance Race, put on by the Manu O Ke Kai outfit on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, at a place called Haleiwa Beach Park. Sounded pleasant enough, until you saw the courses – an 8-mile "Long Course" stretch from Haleiwa to Waimea, and a shorter 5-mile jaunt to Laniakea. Enough to make a lazy riverman think twice.

The Lōkahi Canoe Club, bless their ambitious hearts, threw their paddles into the ring, and here's a plain man's account of how they fared against the briny currents and their fellow water-beaters.

The Long Haul – Testing the Timber of Men (and their Canoes)

It ain't a leisurely float down to New Orleans, this Long Course. Eight miles of pulling against the ocean is work, plain and simple.

• The Lōkahi fellas in the Traditional Men Novice division, aboard a canoe named "Mauna Lani Kai" (19A), showed some real sand. They went and won their division, finishing 1st! Took 'em 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 57.41 seconds, which landed them 22nd overall. A hearty congratulations to the crew: Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Sal Nicosia, Shamanta Palikhey, Samuel Pang, Marcos Reyes, and Jesse Westbrook. They paddled like they had a bill collector on their tail!
• Another Lōkahi crew (18A), in the "Randy" canoe, competed in the Traditional Men Open division. They pulled their weight to a respectable 7th place in their division, finishing the course in 1 hour, 16 minutes, and 21.53 seconds (16th overall ).

The Short Sprint – Quicker, but Just as Wet

Now, the Short Course might sound like child's play, but five miles is still five miles when you're the one doing the paddling.

• The Lōkahi folks (18), again in that "Randy" canoe, decided to mix things up in the Traditional Mixed Open. They paddled their way to a fine 3rd place in their division, crossing the line in 55 minutes and 55.54 seconds (17th overall ). Shows that men and women together can stir up some water just as well as anyone.
• And the ladies of Lōkahi weren't just sitting on the porch fanning themselves. The crew (19) in "Mauna Lani Kai" competed in the Traditional Female Novice division and brought home a 2nd place finish! They completed their 5-mile journey in 59 minutes and 39.74 seconds (30th overall).

So, there you have it. The Lōkahi club went out there, dipped their paddles in the big blue Pacific, and came back with some stories to tell and some decent showings to boot. It ain't piloting the Natchez, but it's a brand of watery contest all its own, and these folks tackle it with a spirit that’s plain to see.