Queen Lili‘uokalani Long Distance Outrigger Races Scheduled

2017 Queen Lili‘uokalani Long Distance Canoe Race. Courtesy photo.

The 2017 Queen Lili‘uokalani Long Distance Canoe Race—the world’s largest long distance outrigger canoe race—welcomes paddlers from around the world to its starting line for five days of exciting canoe racing Aug. 31 through Sept. 4, 2017.

The signature 18-mile long distance race is slated for Sept. 2.

As the state’s official team sport, outrigger canoe racing is a significant and fundamental Hawaiian cultural event in Hawai‘i.

Kona’s place in canoe regatta history is unrivaled and for the last four decades, the Queen Lili‘uokalani Long Distance Canoe Races have continued to share Hawaiian culture through the sport of outrigger canoe racing with the world.

2017 Queen Lili‘uokalani Long Distance Canoe Race. Courtesy photo.

During five days of racing, Queen’s Race participants are immersed in culture and history, including the spectator-friendly 18-mile race on Saturday that follows a historically and culturally significant course between Kamakahonu Bay, a National Historic Site and Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park.

Other Queen’s Race cultural events include a walking tour through Historic Kailua Village, a multi-day Hawaiian Cultural Fair, International Paddlers Night, Paddling Talk Story, Torch Light Parade and a traditional Hawaiian lūʻau.

The 2017 Queen Lili’uokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races are sponsored in part by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Queen K 76, Corona, OluKai, Ocean Paddler Television, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Hulakai and numerous corporate and community donors.

For detailed 2017 Queen Lili’uokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races information, including a complete list of events, go online.