One of the goals of the Puakea Foundation is to race the koa canoes whenever possible. For example, there are many communities that have never seen a koa canoe, even though the sport of outrigger canoe racing is well-established. It is also a goal of the foundation to support paddlers of all ages in racing activities.
A crew of Golden Master Women (all 50 and older) participated in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai in September, 2005. This 12-woman crew featuring paddlers from Hawaii and California, earned Third Place out of six canoes in the division of women aged 50 years and older in 2005.
Their time of 7 hours 29 minutes tells us us what a grueling race this was! Uncle Bobby served as their coach, and he picked a winning course by studying the currents out in the Ka’iwi Channel – 41 miles between Molokai and Waikiki, Oahu. Many special mahalos to the Leeward Kai Canoe Club for loaning the Puakea Foundation a canoe for this women’s long distance race.
