Hawai‘i Island Juniors to Row in Moloka‘i Hoe Canoe Race

Na Kona Juniors (L–R): McKale Hill, Kawai Cho, Hanalei Akazawa, Jake Honl-DeGuair, Lamaku Kekaualau-Nacis, Jacob Dayton, Bailey Kreusling, Hunter Ellis, Makoa Ng, Thomas Depontes and Iokepa Perez.

A Hawai‘i Island crew of juniors will participate in its first-ever Moloka‘i Hoe, one of the most challenging canoe races in Hawai‘i.

The race is set for Oct. 8, 2017, when over 1,000 paddlers will gather from all over the globe to compete in the world championship race for men’s long-distance canoe paddling.

The Na Kona juniors crew is comprised of 11 adventurous young men ranging from ages 16 through 18.

The Na Kona paddlers come from three Kona clubs—the Kai ‘Ehitu, Kai ‘Opua and Keauhou canoe clubs.

Each paddler brings their club spirit, energy and talents to make it a very special and humbling team.

Team Na Kona is sponsored by and will travel under the banner of the Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club.

These young men will set the foundation for those to follow as they attempt to obtain what many only dream of—to cross the grueling Ka‘iwi channel, testing their mind, body and spirit in one of the most prestigious, internationally known paddling events.

All canoe clubs are nonprofit and all of Hawai‘i Island and its paddling community’s support are needed to rally around these young men.

For information on how to become a sponsor and/or to make a donation to Na Kona, contact Lori Honl at (808) 329-1880, email nakonawaa@gmail.com or mail a check to PO Box 262, Holualoa, HI
96725.