adventures and notices

posted 10/10/05

The 4^th annual Kendall Pacific Classic

The 4^th annual Kendall Pacific Classic sailing canoe race was held August 27th.  The race from Kalapaki Beach to Waiamea Plantation Cottages along Kauai’s south shore marks the end of the 2005 Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association’s racing season, sponsored this year by the Kaanapali Beach Resort Association, “where the world comes to play.”  A slogan so true, as there were 16 sailing canoes, competitors, participants, and spectators from all reaches of the globe, furthering the mission of the HSCA “to learn, revive, educate and practice those ancient Hawaiian skills and values, as they relate to the sailing canoes and Hawaiian culture.”    

            Saturday, August 27^th began as a typical August day, warm, sunny, and light trades, not so good for sailing.  Fortunately, by 10:00 am there was a hint of a breeze inspiring hope of an afternoon fill in.  Our hopes and prayers were answered by a fresh breeze at the 11:30 start of the Holopuni, three man sailing canoe, division.  At noon the six man sailing canoes got underway, with Mike Spalding, of Maui , on Makakoa taking the lead.  Following in second by La`amaomao, a canoe owned by Matt Buckman, of Oahu but today captained by its designer and builder 70 year old Kirk Clarke, a Molokai resident.  What a magical moment it was to be sailing on a canoe skippered by its designer and builder. 

As the vessels approached Poipu, Jason Dameron, of Kauai, on canoe Tui Tonga began to make his move charging off-shore, with Marvin Otsuji, also of Kauai, on Kamakakoa following.   Oahu ’s Terry Galpin captained her familiar pink and blue canoe, Moa e Ku, filled with the events only all wahine crew and The Big Island’s Tim Wood, on Koa E Ula, stayed near-shore surfing waves and taking advantage of the localized sea breezes. Behind them were other off island crews representing Maui , and Oahu .    

            By the time the first vessels reached the sugar mill, the scene was very different. A sudden  change in wind direction turned the event into a paddlers nightmare.  A brutal feat for the paddlers, pulling 1500 pounds of canoe and people into the winds and seas.  Marvin was able to fend off Mike, but screaming in from the outside was Tui Tonga , hoping to cross the finish line on a single tack.  Tui fell short by a few hundred yards, forcing them to short tack along with Kamakakoa, well ahead of the rest of the fleet.  It was a neck and neck battle for the line.  Tui held the lead on a few tacks, but Marvin and his crew of bully paddlers was first to cross the line with just about a canoe length lead, securing his seasonal victory.  Maui ’s Mike Spalding, was third to finish, putting him at a tie with Marvin for the season’s 2005 overall standings. 

            In the Holopuni division, canoe creator and Kauai resident Nick Beck finished first, followed by Kauai ’s Kendall Struness, and in third, Kauai ’s Alan Faye.

            Once all the canoes  crossed the finish line and came ashore all pitched in to help carry the canoes onto the lawn of the Waiamea Plantation Cottages, where they were completely de-rigged and loaded on trailers, some to go to their home islands of Oahu, others to Maui, and the Big Island, and some staying on Kauai. 

            Following the race, there was a fantastic luau and awards ceremony.  In which, not only were the days race awards given out, but the 2005 seasonal awards, as well as a new award.  The new award is in memory of a tremendous advocate of sailing canoes, one who raced them, taught others how to sail them, and perpetuated not only the spirit of Aloha, but also the HSCA’s mission statement, the late "Mark Brewer".  The award goes to those who best perpetuate the mission statement of the HSCA and the spirit of Mark Brewer, the recipient need not be a captain nor own a sailing canoe.  This year two people were deemed worthy of such an award, Marvin Otsuji and Matt Buckman. 

As far as the season’s standings, for the first time ever there was a tie for first:  Marvin Otsuji and his crew of Kauai and Mike Spalding of Maui.  Finishing the season in second was , Oahu ’s Mike Kincaid.  Coming in third was another Oahu Captain, Matt Buckman.  In fourth, the Big Island ’s Tim Wood, followed by the all wahine crew of Oahu ’s Terry Galpin, who is also the HSCA President.  Finishing sixth in the standings was Kauai ’s Jason Dameron, followed by Maui ’s Ray Glauser, and in eight, Hui Nalu Canoe Club of Oahu.  Finishing ninth was Oahu ’s Windward Community College , and in tenth, Kauai ’s Trevor Cabell.

The season finished strong and we are looking forward to making next year’s season even better.  Be sure to check the HSCA’s web site (www.hsca.biz) for upcoming activities, as the HSCA isn't only about racing, the HSCA mission statement “to, learn, revive, educate and practice those ancient Hawaiian skills and values, as they relate to sailing canoes and Hawaiian culture”.  Again, we would like to say, Mahalo nui loa to all of those who have helped to support the association over this year’s 2005 season, especially the Kaanapali Beach Resort Association, Kukui’ula Realty, Kauai Springs Water, HTA, Koloa Plantation Days, Canoe T.V,  and Hawaiian Xtreme Sports Television. Without their support, the HSCA would not have had the oppurtunity to share this important part of the Hawaiian history and culture with so many residents and visitors alike.

Derek Esibill – HSCA member, Kailua Oahu

posted 04/11/05

Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association
44-519A Kaneohe Bay Drive
Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
(808) 247-3559