Kawaihae Canoe Club, Celebrating 50 Years, Feted on Thursday

Come celebrate a North Hawai‘i legacy, a half a century in the making.

Waimea’s Virtual Town Meeting on Thursday, May 5 will play tribute to the Kawaihae Canoe Club, which is celebrating its 50-year legacy of perpetuating the paddling traditions of Hawai’i while nurturing, mentoring and cherishing thousands of Big Island families, friends and keiki.

Special guests Kala Akima Akau and Uncle Pete Hendricks will talk-story about the club’s history and its legendary coach – beloved Uncle Manny Veincent.

The virtual meeting, hosted by the Waimea Community Association, begins at 5:30 p.m.

The club’s roots run deep.

The brainchild of Elaine Flores and the Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club, it was founded in 1972 under the leadership of Auntie Elaine, Frank Cook, Sr., then-probation officer Bobby Lindsey and Frank Puhi.

Waimea Police Captain Charles Rose was the first president and Manny Veincent became the club’s first Coach. People involved included Martha Anne Kinney, Mabel Tolentino and Sam Cook and club paddlers in the early years included Waimea’s ranch and farm families and sugar workers from Hamakua and Kohala.

As the club matured and older members passed on, club presidents included Pete Hendricks, Martha Ann Kinney, Frank Tarpley and Kalani Schutte, until in 1982 Manny Veincent became president and has continued to this day.

Donations to the canoe club, WCA’s spotlighted not-for-profit for May, are encouraged via the club’s website.

Other items are on the agenda as well.

WCA’s virtual town meeting will now be streamed “live” to its YouTube channel to expand viewership. Go to www.WaimeaTown.org and use the link on the home page. It also will be forwarded to WCA’s Facebook page.