Saturday, November 19 is Beanie Heen’s funeral at 11:00 at Kawaihae surf beach.  Beanie was an influential paddler and coach in the Hawaii island community for many years.  He paddled in our Mary Jane Hei Hei this year and his crew came in 1st place.  The KCC Board voted to send a contribution to the charity of the family’s choice.
Keauhou supported Youth this month by:
September & October.  Hualalai Academy spent 4 Friday mornings on the water with Keauhou canoes as part of their enrichment program.  We are glad we could help out this group of middle-schoolers.
November 17.  A major Mahalo Plenty to all KCC members who have volunteered to help with this daylong event for 300 fifth grade girls on the west side of the island at the Keauhou Outrigger Beach Hotel.  KCC is one of the major fiscal and manpower supports for this incredible joint effort with the American Association of University Women.
The Kamalii O Keauhou youth program has begun with emphasis on each young person making their own paddle from scratch.  The youth also bring homework down to spend  time with their studies.  They have also begun paddling the OC-6 and are chomping at the bit to get in the OC-1’s.  The next module which begins after Thanksgiving will emphasize care and repair of the OC-1 equipment just in time for the one man season.  Rumor has it that they will move into ukulele in early 2012.

High school paddling started last week with a large group from Konawaena High School four afternoons a week under Coach Paul Daugherty, a Keauhou paddler.  We are also lending two canoes to Hawaii Preparatory Academy for their high school season under the direction of Coach Mesepa Tanoai, a Keauhou paddler and coach.

November 24 is Thanksgiving Feast at 2:00 sharp.  You can also cook your family’s meat in an imu that will be covered at 8:00 on Thursday morning.  Make sure your preparation is labeled and wrapped the way you want.  The food will come out of the earth oven at about 1:00 pm.  There will be a paddle that day; no breakfast potluck; and birthdays will be celebrated at the Thanksgiving meal.  A sign-up sheet for main course or side dishes/desserts is posted at the club bulletin board or you can email Cindy at cbarmer@hotmail.com with what you are bringing. 
Sunday, December 4 at 11am is the Annual General Meeting followed by 12:00 potluck.  Election of 2012 officers, review of the recreational and racing programs, treasurer’s report, and paddlers open forum will be on the program.  The club will provide the main courses and drinks like water, Perform, and sodas.  Bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Saturday, December 10 is the Abbott Galaher OC-1/OC-2 race sponsored by KCC.  There will also be a stand up paddleboard division.  It is also our annual food and fund raiser for the Hawaii Food Basket.  Bring a frozen turkey or some non-perishable goods to the canoe club for donation to the community program even if you are not racing.  We have contributed 35-40 turkeys for the past couple of years along with donated goods worth over $1000 to the program.  It is another way KCC supports the community at large.
On the water!

Keauhou Canoe Club Oct 2011 Newsletter  Addendum I

  Otober 9.  There were 102 canoes in the Molokai Hoe--40+ mile race from Molokai to Oahu.  Livestrong/Ocean Pursuits, all Keauhou paddlers, placed 8th (7th in the open glass division) in 5:10:51.  The KCC/Livestrong Open crew of Novice A/B’s (mostly KCC guys)  placed 31st (25th in the open glass division) in 5:41:43.  The 60’s Men placed 80th(5th in their division) in 6:27:10.  Conditions were challenging all the way with cross-currents and turbulent water.  The novice guys hulied over the ama side which is not easy to do.  The 60’s guys hulied their canoe and their ama rigging came undone due to the washing machine seas.  Imagine trying to retie the ama and iako in rolling seas—some of us have trouble doing that rigging on dry land.  As one of the coaches said, “The race is always a humbling experience.”  Congratulations to each of these crews for representing themselves and KCC in this world championship race.

October 31.  Deadline for World sprints applications to OHCRA.  The World Sprints are in Calgary, Canada next summer. 

The Gladi Hoagland Ohana Kokua fund at KCC has been a huge success.  Donations and race fees from the Auntie Mary Jane Kahanamoku Hei Hei totaled $2962, and individual donations totaled $2914.80 from Christa Jacobsen, Bill and Cindy Armer, Dani Ho, Stacy and Greg Kline, Charyl Ah Sing, Karen Crawford, Joe Coyne, Diane and Terry Neubert, Stacy Kline, Suzanne Shriner, Jacque Wikum, Julie Vernon, Michelle Tadani, Carol Fawcett, Michelle John, Shay Bintliff, Libby Dingledein, Sammy Stanbro, Alison Parsons, Barbara Lasich, and Nadine Underhill.  Mahalo plenty to all the folks who have helped out and the fund raising is not done yet as you see below.

Aloha Keauhou Paddlers! 
Keoua Canoe Club is hosting a big event in November.  Part of it will be a silent auction for Gladi. We're looking for donations (and assistance in getting items).  
Please join us on Nov. 5 & 6 at Honaunau Bay for a weekend of activities honoring Honaunau – learning about its past through the eyes of its kupuna, and imagining its future through the eyes of those who will come after us.
Honaunau: Ola Mau Loa with TE VAKA on Nov. 5, from 2-6 p.m., is the launch of a community visioning project with the intention of creating a community- and Hawaiian values-based resource and land management plan for our precious ‘aina and all of the cultural, historic, spiritual and life-giving treasures that it holds within its lands and waters. Come learn more about the project, enjoy an afternoon by Honaunau Bay, and dance to the awesome music of TE VAKA, the world-renowned Pacific Island music group. 
Also part of the event will be a SILENT AUCTION to benefit our paddling sistah Gladi Hoagland, who is faced with a very serious medical condition – and no medical insurance.
This event is presented by Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club and sponsored by ‘Apono Hawai‘i and Pasifika Foundation Hawai‘i. For more info: acurrie@hawaii.rr.com
Kukakuka O Honaunau on Nov. 6 from 3-6 p.m., is a very special talk-story gathering that will bring together kupuna of Honaunau along with Danny Kaniela Akaka, Jr. for an afternoon of sharing stories about the old days in Honaunau.

Recreational reminders for winter season:
•We are NOT a “First come, First serve” club.  Everyone who comes to paddle should get to paddle in that shift.  Captains try to be fair to members as well as guests.
•If you are bringing three or more friends to be in the double hull, make arrangements with one of the captains for a separate paddle time.  It is too difficult to work them into the limited number of seats available.  
•Not all new paddlers have to go automatically into the double hull.  Captains can place brand new folks in a single hull.
•Hold onto your paddle until the Steersmen organize the crews.  (No paddles are to be placed in the canoes to reserve seats.)
•The double hull will be organized first:  first shift 6:30 for the 6:45 paddle; second shift at 7:45 for the 8:00 paddle.  (If we have more than twelve paddlers for the double hulls, the Steersmen will decide whether to double shift, move folks to single hull, etc.) 
•The number of hulls to be launched depends on the number of qualified steersmen available.
•Please remember that every one of us started as a guest paddler, were greeted with aloha, and stayed to become a member.

December 4, Sunday.  Annual General Meeting.  11 am business meeting; 12 noon potluck lunch.
Recognition of Outgoing Board Members, Review of 2011 Racing and Recreational Programs, Treasurer’s report, Election of Officers.
Members must be present to vote—no proxy votes.  Additional candidates for any office can be nominated from the floor.  Terms of office are one year and all positions are term limited at three years for general officers and two years for directors at large.  
Members have expressed interest in the following positions at this time and may change by election time:
President—Bill Armer (2nd year);      Executive Vice President—Terry Trinidad ((2nd year;      Athletic Director—Joreen Knox;  
Treasurer--                ; Communications Secretary—Leila Duim (2nd year);  Membership Secretary—Jane Bockus (2nd year) 
Directors at Large—Annalee Akagi, Wanda Haines, Karen Hamar (2nd year), Egon Horcajo (2nd year) , Gina Torres (2nd year), Scott Von Nordheim, Mark Wormley
Ad hoc members—Fred Giannini—MOKU; Stephanie Amick—Queen Liliuokalani 

Keauhou Canoe Club Oct 2011 Newsletter

September 10.  Team Livestrong, all Keauhou paddlers, (coached by Ikaika Hauanio) placed 2nd in the Catalina Channel Crossing in southern California.  They were the first finishers in their division and were sandwiched between three unlimited canoes built by Odie Sumi from the Big Island.  It is great to see our guys do so well and to see one of our alumni quickly gaining a reputation as a premier canoe builder of unlimited canoes.  
September 18.  Team Livestrong, all Keauhou paddlers, (coached by Ikaika Hauanio) placed 4th in the 31 mile Henry Ayau race on Oahu in 3:45.  Henry was a well known waterman on Oahu and the father of Bruce Ayau.  Bruce is a long time Livestrong paddler and one of our premier steersman. 
September 18.  Two wahine crews from KCC raced the 26 mile Pailolo Challenge from Maui to Molokai as iron 6 woman crews with no changes.  One Open women’s crew (captained by Alexis Ching) came in 57th in 4:18:43 which was 5th  in the division and the other crew (captained by Jennifer McDaniel) came in 62nd in 4:25:47 which was 6th in the division.  The Livestrong Keauhou men (the same guys who did so outstanding in the previous three races coached by Ikaika Hauanio) placed 2nd in 2:53:09.  Bumps were not easy to come by and hard paddling was required almost the entire course.
September 25.  West Hawaii Today’s headline stated “Keauhou Strong at Na Wahine O Ke Kai” and the article led with this statement---“Keauhou Canoe Club had a banner day at the Na Wahine O Ke Kai canoe race Sunday.”  This women’s race with 72 crews ran for 40+ miles from Molokai to Oahu and featured one of our Open crews (coached by Mesepa Tanoai) finishing 20th in 6:08:58.  The master 50’s crew members (coached by Randy Davis) finished in6:21:53, 34th overall, and third in their division.  Members of both crews used words like “really good race, epic crossing, everyone had a great time” to describe really positive race performances.  Two of our women, Alexis Ching and Maile Leslie, did Molokai and Pailolo on back to back weekends—the KCC version of Ironman athletes.
October 8.  Three KCC men’s crews--Team Livestrong coached by Ikaika Hauanio, Team Livestrong coached by Thibert Lussia’a, and the 60’s Guys coached by Egon Horcajo will race in the 40 mile Molokai Hoe race from Molokai to Oahu.  
October 29.  Elliott Parsons and Tina Flower can use help with the “Run for the Dry Forest” which is at Puu Wa’a Wa’a: located on the High Road to Waimea (Hwy 190) between mile markers 22 and 21, mauka side at the white gate. Information is on the PATH web site.
5 folks for registration (6:30 am - 8:00 am)
12 course marshalls (6 to run aid stations - 2 per station (3 aid stations include 2 mile aid station on 10 k course, halfway aid station on 5 k course, and finish line aid station on both courses).  The rest of the volunteers to be stationed at either gates or critical intersections on both the 10 k and 5 k trails, anyone with first aid experience, qualifications, would be great to have at aid stations).
1 parking assistant (critical - help organize parking near race area)
1 PWW ambassador -to be at the front gate entrance to PWW
Course marshalls will need to be at PWW by 6 am and be ready to get on the course by 6:30 am.  Registration folks will need to be there at 6:30 am.  The 10 k starts at 7:45 am, the 5 k starts at 8:00 am.  Both finish around 10:30 am / 11:00 am.  Volunteers will be encouraged to help clean-up after the race is over (11:00 am - 1pm), but at minimum they should commit to being there during the entire race. Volunteers will get a t-shirt with A'ali'i as the focal plant.  There will also be a volunteer appreciation day planned for a few weeks after the event which will include a hike and bbq.
Contact Elliott at eparsons@hawaii.edu if you can help. 

Keauhou Canoe Club Sept 2011 Newsletter Addendum

September 24, Saturday.  MAUNA LANI BAY & HULAKAI PRESENT FIRST‐EVER SUP RACE FOR FITNESS.  Hawaii’s popular health, fitness and outdoor lifestyle resort, The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, is teaming up with local stand up paddle board and ocean sports company, Hulakai, to present the first‐ever Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Race For Fitness on Saturday, September 24, 2011 on Hawaii Island’s spectacular Kohala Coast.  The race, which will be part of an ongoing paddling series, is set to become one of Hawaii’s biggest SUP events for all ages and levels. SUP Race for Fitness is about celebrating the heritage of SUP in Hawaii and its evolution as one of the fastest growing water sports and fitness workouts in the world.  One and two person outrigger canoe paddlers are also invited to participate.  The seven mile race will start from either Kiholo Bay or Kawaihae Harbor depending on the wind direction come race morning. The direction will be announced at a pre‐race briefing held at Hulakai’s flagship store. The finish line will be on the shores of Mauna Lani Bay where the after‐race celebration and awards ceremony will also be held. 
Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers along with category winners. Each participant will have their race time recorded.
To enter the first‐ever SUP For Fitness and for further information, contact 808‐887‐1091 or visit www.hulakai.com 
WHAT: The inaugural Stand Up Paddle Race For Fitness 
WHEN: Saturday, September 24, 2011. Participant briefing at 7:30am. Race at 10am. 
WHERE: Kohala Coast, Hawaii Island. 
Meet at Hulakai flagship store. The Shops at Mauna Lani. 68‐1300 Mauna Lani Drive. 
COST: $15 
BRING: Your own board or outrigger canoe and paddle. 
AWARDS: Held at The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, 68‐1400 Mauna Lani Drive. Complimentary parking. 
ENTRY & FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact 808‐887‐1091 or visit www.hulakai.com

October 8.  KCC handles two aid stations as club fund raisers for Ironman—one at Royal Kona ( Bill and Cindy Armer) and one at Magic Sands (George Lindo and Patrice Rammer).  There are shifts starting at 11:00 until early evening.  The money will be put into the Ohana Kokua fund to support KCC paddlers who run into unexpected medical or financial crises.  Contact Cindy Armer at 896-7180 or cbarmer@hotmail.com to volunteer for either station.
On the water!

Keauhou Canoe Club Sept 2011 Newsletter

Care and Concern.  Gladi Hoagland, one of our gold medal 60’s paddlers, started a 6-week course in radiation this week. Her spirits are high and she says she is blessed beyond belief to have so many good friends. The board has decided to offer the proceeds from the Aunty Mary Jane Hei Hei Race to Gladi and her family and set up a Gladi Hoagland Fund. If you donate money in her name to the club, she will get it, and you will get a tax deduction.  The money is certainly appreciated as Joe, Gladi's husband, has taken a leave of absence from work to keep up with the care demands. If you are interested in sitting with Gladi for a 5 hour stretch or bringing a covered dish supper, call Suzanne Shriner at 989-4883.  It's going to be a fight but they are going to geev 'um.
Mel Pauole is back paddling and it is good to see him out there on the water and hydrating internally with water.
Bob Ruhaak, whose legs were crushed in a scooter accident in December. He had to slow his rehab down a lot because the intensity was too hard on his body.  He is wheelchair bound and continues to work on his mobility.  He hopes to be back paddling by Jan 1.  He is still the same old Bob with a great smile and that infectious laugh.
Joann and her four children were helped by the Keauhou Ohana Kokua fund a couple of months ago with money.  They are now facing eviction this week and seeking a good lead on affordable housing in town so that the children can remain in the Kealakehe district.  If you can help, call JoAnn at 895-7617.
We are rebuilding that Keauhou Ohana Kokua fund to help our own paddlers with individual donations and fundraisers.  All donations to KCC are tax deductible and we send you an IRS letter. 

July 23.  I am still missing a large Nike black jacket since the garage sale/youth campout at the halau.  Has anyone seen it?  Call Joreen at 989-5077.  
  
August 20.  The Keoua Calvin Kelekolio Long Distance Race was normal conditions—hot and flat.  Keauhou women placed in their divisions as follows: Open-2nd, 11th, 16th; 40’s—2nd, 3rd; 50’s-1st; 60’s-2nd.  Men placed in their divisions as follows: Open-4th, 7th, 8th, 11th; 50’s-2nd; 60’s-1st.  That is medaling by 7 out of 13 crews—what a standard of excellence.  Congratulations to each of them for working hard.

August 21.  The 44th Annual Duke Kahanamoku Classic was paddled by a Livestrong/Keauhou Men's crew 26 miles from Kailua to the Hilton Hawaiian.  They placed 2nd and put the other elite racing crews on notice that the various challenge races will have some new players in town.  Watch what happens at the other premier races like Catalina,the Henry Ayau, and Molokai crossings in the next month or so. 

August 27.  The Great Waikoloa Race which features a Le Mans style start had its usual brutal wind conditions to make for some tough sledding on the water.  Estimates of 5-6 hulis were heard about on the course with one canoe going over 3 times.  The women placed in their divisions as follows:  Open-2nd, 6th, 9th; 40’s-2nd, 3rd; 50’s-1st; 60’s-1st.  The men placed in their divisions as follows:  Open—1st, 2nd, 4th; Novice-1st; 55’s-1st; 60’s-1st.  That is medals by 10 out of 14 crews—wow.  Look at those improvements over the previous week.

September 1. The Tsartlip First Nation Tribe gave a most informative and touching talk story about their roots and culture, the war canoes, and chants at the recreational paddler potluck.  They also did great in the Queen Liliuokalani races.

September 3.  Queen Liliuokalani, the World’s largest long distance canoe race, was sponsored by KaiOpua and celebrated its 40th anniversary with 136 women OC-6 crews and 144 men entries for the 17 mile route to/from Honaunau.  In a fantastic and over the top KCC record setting performance, we took 1st place in Men Open glass, Men and Women koa, Women 50, Men 60; 2nd in Women Masters 40; 3rd in Women Master’s 40, Men 50 and Women 9 man.  In addition, crews finished 11th, 13th, and 33rd in Open Men; 10th Open Women, and 4th Iron Women 50.  Coaching, conditioning, individual skills and teamwork were the contributing factors to such a fine showing by our club.  Sunday were the double hull races and OC-1’s and OC-2’s.  In the double hull competition we took 1st  Women 40+, 2d Men 60+, and  6th Mixed.  The standout individual performances on Sunday were: 1st Egon Horcajo, 2nd Jon Amundson, 3rd John Roberts OC-1 Men 60+; 2nd OC-1 Women 50-59 Lesle Crawford; 1st OC-2 Women Joreen Knox /Sheila Cadaos; 1st OC-2 Mixed Cheryl Villegas/John Husak.  On Monday was the Alii Challenge and the 1st place finishers in this water/land relay race were “Keauhou and the Big Boys”—Fred Berengue, Sheila Cadaos, Joreen Knox, and Leslie Woods.  You can also be proud of our support of off island crews by providing 11 canoes-- Kikaha--4 hulls iron and 2 double hulls, Tsartlip--3 iron, Delta-2 Iron, False Creek-- 2 Iron.  They loved practicing at our club and met their expectations in the race. Stephanie Amick gets a big hand of applause and Hoooorraahh for coordinating that off-island canoe borrowing with our crews.  Every canoe was used except Kahanamoku, Lele Va’a, and Kealapuali.  The off island crews gave us very classy gifts, money donations, purchased many of our shirts and hats, and were great fun to be around.  

September 10. The KCC Auntie Mary Jane Hei Hei will donate all proceeds to benefit Gladi Hoagland, one of our 60’s Women gold medalists at last month’s states championship. This is a fun, mixed race with 3 men and 3 women in all the canoes.  There are a couple of canoes still left to be assigned.  Talk to Bill or Scott.

Cheryl Villegas has decided to stop coaching the KCC women in regatta and long distance after four productive and demanding years of commitment, hard work, many phone calls, much driving, and lots of time on the beach.  She has elevated the program to heights and performances not accomplished previously and attracted a large number of highly skilled women to come and compete at Keauhou.  She set the bar high with her own performance as a paddler while challenging and teaching the entire program how to move to the next level.  She will be missed and it certainly will be a daunting task to fill her position.  Mahalo plenty, congratulations, and much appreciation to Cheryl as she moves on to new challenges in her paddling career.  Send her a note or give her a hug when you see her as paddling season shifts to Molokai preparation. 

On the water! 

Keauhou Canoe Club Aug 2011 Newsletter Addendum

Care and Concern Update.  As most of you know, Gladi Hoagland is in need of some help and care at this time. She has a big battle in front of her.  There are many things that can be done to help out and each of you has gifts that can make a difference to a woman who has brought joy to everyone she has met. As paddlers one of the easiest things for you to do is to keep her in your thoughts as you place and pull your paddle as she would like to be on the water with you.  If you would like to spend time with Gladi at her home in Ocean View, which allows Joe to work, thereby allowing their bills to be paid, please contact Suzanne at sshriner1@yahoo.com.  We are doing morning/afternoon caregiver shifts during the week and there is an online calendar she can hook you into for scheduling. There has also been some talk of fund raising. Any ideas or organization would be appreciated.  Gladi is taking phone calls. Her energy levels are best between the hours of 10am and 3pm.  Her number is 929-8216.  
August 28. All Club Party from 2-5 changed locations to Lulu’s dance area upstairs.  Pupus are provided by the club and drinks are on you with special low prices.  We are celebrating the successful Regatta season and HCRA AAA championship at a different location due to financial considerations—Rosa’s Cantina wanted to charge more than we wanted to pay.  A limited number of people can be in there at one time.  Spillovers can hang at Lulu’s, Bongo Ben’s, Humpy’s, Ocean’s, or even Rosa’s until space opens up.
September 1.  Birthday Potluck is changed from the last Thursday in August to 8:30 on September 1.  This will allow the special cultural presentation by the visiting Tsartlip First Nation Tribe from British Columbia.  They are here to participate in the Queen Liliuokalani Long distance race and are one of the clubs who will be using our canoes during race week.
September 10.  Auntie Mary Jane Hei Hei for all mixed crews of 3 men and 3 women is sponsored by KCC at our bay.  Recreational paddling will continue as scheduled that morning.  A double hull will function as the turnaround boat for the short race.  Canoes are available for all crews, including a recreational/novice classification, and are reserved by getting a $120 check to Bill Armer or Scott Von Nordheim. 
A recreational paddling couple just donated $10,000 anonymously to Keauhou Canoe Club.  The money will be used to support the youth program with $5000, $3000 to purchase another canoe for a double hull if possible, and $2000 to repair the concrete launch ramp.  Informal feedback from one member of the Bishop Estate Board of Trustees this month is “The only reason KCC remains on Bishop land in Keauhou Bay is because of your programs in support of youth in our community.”  That observation underscores the validity of efforts like the upcoming after school/cultural program being organized by Terry Trinidad, scholarships for youth, support for the GEMS program, and continued emphasis on building the youth paddling program.  A prospectus for repair of the ramp has been submitted to KIC and we await word from the project engineer in Honolulu as to what permits and procedures need to be followed.  It is frustrating for all of us as we watch the ramp continue to deteriorate. 
There will be 2012 Board openings for Treasurer, Athletic Director, and several Directors at large.  Let a Board member know of your interest and call any current members with questions. 

Keauhou Canoe Club Aug 2011 Newsletter

Care and Concern
Suzanne Shriner writes that GladiHoagland is in Queens ICU with a brain tumor. Please send your prayers her way.  She has been rocking it in the 60's women all year and is a wonderful sweet spunky member of our Keauhou family.  Gladi does not have her cell phone charger but would love to hear from people.  Queens has an email system where the nurses deliver messages to the patients.  http://www.queensmedicalcenter.net/email-a-patient-form.  Put Gladi Hoagland as her name, Rm 561 Queen Emma Tower.  Or you can reach her at 808-538-9011 room 561.  She'll probably be in Honolulu for the better part of next week.  Emails to her personal account won't be seen for a while.

Mel Pauole has just returned from Queens after carotid artery surgery for blockage of 80% on one side.  He is recovering at home and appreciates everyone’s prayers and wishes. Let him know that your thoughts are with him. Gil Niday says it well--"Mel has been one of the top, elite paddlers for at least 30 years, or more, and is still the man to beat, no age barrier."  

8/21 Sunday from 9-4 at K-Mart parking lot.  Long distance racing 60’s Men and 50’s women are doing a car wash fundraiser.  Take your vehicle by before someone writes in the dust.

8/28 Lavaman Keauhou at Outrigger Beach Hotel.  Club members are fund-raising with recreational paddlers at registration and body marking, racing women at swim support and bike turnaround, and Boys16 at finish line and recycling.  Kaeti Ecker, Marianne Starr, Gina Torres, Scott VonNordheim, and Mike Woodbury are members planning to race.  Send them a burst of psychic energy on race morning.  The swim is in our bay and bike transition is in the cul-de-sac if you want to see some excitement up close.

8/28 Sunday from 2-5 at Rosa’s Cantina in Coconut Grove by the volleyball court on Alii Drive.  All Club Party to celebrate the end of the regatta season and our second HCRA AAA Championship.  If you were keeping track, that makes five division championships in the past seven years along with a second in AA and a sixth in AAAA.  The Club will provide some of the pupus and you buy your own drinks.  Be prepared for a wait as only about 150 folks can be inside at one time. The restaurant will be closed to the general public.

9/1 Thursday 8:30 will be the August Birthday Potluck at the Halau.  This is a change from the last Thursday in August in order to have a cultural program presented by the Tsartlip First Nation tribe.  The men and women of the Geronimo Canoe and Lady Esther canoe, have made the decision to carry all their teachings of the Coast Salish War Canoe racing to the Queen Lili’uokalani race in Hawaii. This year an outrigger canoe was donated to the Geronimo Canoe Club to train alongside the Coast Salish War Canoe races in order to prepare for this long- distance race. They are sending 2 men’s crews and 2 women’s crews to this race. In total there will be 24 Coast Salish paddlers from the Morris family of the Tsartlip reserve.  They will be using some of KCC's canoes for practice and on race day.  The attached write-up describes this incredible opportunity for learning from other paddlers.

Coast Salish Canoe Culture

The Coast Salish peoples inhabit the Northwest Coast of North America, from the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon, north to Bute Inlet in British Columbia. Coast Salish territories include much of the ecologically diverse Georgia Basin and Puget Sound known as the Salish seas. This huge drainage basin comprises the coastal mainland and Vancouver Island from Campbell River and Georgia Strait south through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Lower Fraser Valley and the lowlands of Puget Sound. Our Coast Salish Racing Canoe heritage dates back well over a hundred years, and the Coast Salish traditional Canoeing legacy dates back thousands and thousands of years.  Coast Salish competitive canoe racing first emerged in the mid to late 1800s, and by the 1940s the Coast Salish Racing Canoes had evolved into a very sophisticated, exceptionally well engineered, and extremely sleek craft bearing very little resemblance to any other traditional Native Indian fishing or traveling vessels.

Every summer, for well over a hundred years the shores of the Coast Salish Nations have staged a magnificent event, an event that tests the endurance, strength, skill, and heart of all of its participants.
On the shores of the Salish territories are lined with crowds of excited people cheering their favorite canoes, and on the water the well-conditioned athletes strive hard to out-distance their competition, and underneath the canoe racer is a very responsive, sleek, competition class Salish Racing Canoe. Every year, on the warm summer breeze comes this living-canoeing legacy. These summer festivals are a culturally important time for the Coast Salish Nations. It’s a time to gather in friendly intertribal competition, and it’s a time to spend with family and friends. It provides an opportunity to renew old acquaintances and to make new ones, but most importantly, it is a time to honor and affirm the strength, culture, and heritage of the Coast Salish People. Along the shores of these Coast Salish Canoe Races you can hear the sounds of the song that the paddle creates as it slices effortlessly through the water, combined, and intertwined with the strong spiritual heartbeat resonating from deep within the Cedar Canoes. It’s a long standing tradition of honor, culture, and respect for a very traditional way of life.

The legendary Geronimo Canoe Club was established in the early 1970’s by 10 men from Tsartlip, BC. Tsartlip First Nation is located on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. In the heart of the beautiful Saanich Peninsula, located near Brentwood Bay, B.C.  The first canoe to enter into the Morris family was built by the late canoe builder named Anderson Tommy. They named their canoe Geronimo, after the legendary leader of the Apache Native Americans. To signify the fierceness and warrior mentality of the Morris family canoe pullers. The men’s crew soon began to win executively throughout the canoe paddling season. They’re strength and brotherhood within the canoe was astonishing, for they expressed a bond so strong that they became unbeatable for many years to come. Not much long later another canoe was introduced into the Morris family. A canoe built by Roy Edwards that was named the Great Lady, but soon was renamed Lady Esther. Today the Geronimo canoe is still pulled by the men in the Morris family and the wives and women of the Morris family pull the Lady Esther canoe.

The Morris family all contribute to keep their canoes on the water racing. Along with the 11 man canoes, they also race in the 6 man, doubles and single canoe races. Everyone trains together throughout the week to prepare for the canoe races on he weekends. The canoe travels by canoe trucks, on ferries, through highways, to other Coast Salish communities to go to war on the water.  The most important aspect of the Coast Salish war canoe races is the youth. The children of the adult paddlers are hugely supportive in continuing this traditional sport. The canoe races have races specifically for the younger paddlers, even as young as 4 years old. Nobody is left on the beach, everyone, young and old are encouraged to be part of the War canoe races, even the witnessing of these races are just as important. So people can share what they have seen during those times of cultural practice through canoe pulling. When the storm comes the canoes will be ready. Its the same with the youth. If we can prepare them for life, with their cultural roots deep in the earth and relate it to the ocean, songs and legends, they can face the world. This is the responsibility of the adults and elders, to pass down the knowledge of the Coast Salish War Canoe races.
Submitted by Lindsay Katsitsakatste Delaronde  June, 2011

On the Water!

Keauhou Canoe Club July 2011 Newsletter addendum

July 16.  A pristine day in Hilo was the backdrop for the Auntie Maile Big Island Championship and KCC paddlers made us proud of their achievements in this final qualifying regatta for state championship.  Kai Opua took 1st place with 228 points and we chased them in second place with 191 points for the 8th out of 9 regattas this season.  We were on top of the medal table with 14 golds, 3 silver, and 4 bronze.  Undefeated gold medal crews for the season were Mix55, W50, M55, W60, and M60.  Other golds included WNovA, MNovA, MFr, WJr, MJr, WSr, MSr, M40, and Mix60.  Silvers were gathered by W55, M50, and MO4.  Bronzes were collected by Boys15, Boys 16, MNovB, and MixOpen.  All the racing crews contributed points to the total and were instrumental in keeping us in the race as these unsung heroes have done each week.  Of note were the times in the only 1 ½ mile race of the season by Senior Men with the fastest time in the state and the Senior Women with the 2d fastest time in the state.  The Girls12 (4th place) and Boys12 (5th place) had their best finishes of the year.  The MenOpen4 lost to KaiOpua by a photo finish margin of 7/100 of a second (less than an eyeblink) in the most tightly contested race of the day.  Congratulations to all.

Keauhou will go to the August 6 state championship in Maui to defend our AAA HCRA state title with the following teams who ranked 1st, 2nd or 3d place in the final Big Island standings.  First place seeds are WNovA, MNovA, MFr, WSo, MSo, MJr, WSr, MSr, M40, W60, M60, M55,W50, and Mix55.  The state’s most challenging conditions for second and third seeds will test our second place seeds of MNovB, WFr, WJr, W55 and the third place seeds of Boys16 and WNovB.  To our knowledge, we are sending WNovB, WNovA, WSr, and M40 to states for the first time.  The crew and coach commitment to excellence and a high level of performance all season was outstanding in putting themselves into positions to have Makani Kai help them bring back gold.  Best of luck to all of them! 

July 23.  Don’t forget the “End of the Road” sale on Saturday.  You can bring your contributions on Friday.  Thank you in advance for your help and we would certainly provide you with a tax deduction letter.

KCC has a new outboard powerboat for training and officiating at the races.  We want to give the boat a name to be placed on the side of the boat with the Keauhou Canoe Club decal.  Submit as many entries as you like to cbarmer@hotmail.com.  The grand prize will be a catered ride in the boat for a party of four or a club shirt and hat if you prefer.  The board will select the winning entry.  The deadline is August 15.

The Keauhou Ohana Kokua Fund was used to help one of our families get off the beach and into housing.  That fund balance is $250 and we hear of other KCC families who might need an extra helping hand.  Any donations are appreciated and a tax deduction letter will be sent to you.

Several folks served as road marshals in the Kona Marathon to benefit the Mike Haines Personal Achievement Merit scholarship that will be awarded in 2012 for the first time.  The fund has grown to almost $2000 with the additional $860 donated with these folks time. Funds were also earned in that race for canoe/halau maintenance ($145)and the women's racing program ($145). Other opportunities will be announced in the near future.  Thanks for the support.

On the Water!

Keauhou Canoe Club July 2011 Newsletter

July 2.  Puna Canoe Club hosted the 7th regatta of the year and KCC’s 178 points chased Kai Opua’s 198 points down the stretch to come in second place for the sixth time out of seven races this year.  KCC did win the medal table for the sixth time out of seven races this year with 13 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze.  All crews contributed points to the final outcome under sunny skies and fantastic Hilo weather.  MJr turned in the fastest mile race of the day with a 7.04.68.  Undefeated gold medal teams are down to W60, M60, M55, W50, and Mix55.  Other gold medals went to MNA, WFr, MFr, MJr, W40, M40, Mix60, and Mix40.  Silvers were gathered by MSo, WJr, and W55.  Bronzes were taken by MNB, B16, and WSo.  We have one more regatta next week with Kamehameha Canoe Club debuting the John Kekua Jr Regatta and then the Big Island Championship before heading to state finals on Maui on August 6.  Send those racers a mental high five for the terrific year those crews are having.

July 9.  The inaugural John Kekua Jr. Regatta sponsored by Kamehameha Canoe Club was held under sunny Hilo skies and great race conditions.  Keauhou’s 189 points placed us second to KaiOpua’s 223 points for the 6th time out of 8 regattas this year.    We also came second at the medal table to KaiOpua for only the second time this season with 11 gold, 8 silver, and 3 bronze.  Undefeated gold medal teams continued to be Wom55, Men 55, Mix 55, Wom60, and Men60.  Other gold medalists included MixNovB, MenNovB, WomSoph, MenSoph, Wom50, Mix60, and MenOpen4.  Our silvers were MenNovA, WomFr, MenFr, WomJr, MenJr, Wom40, Wom55, and Mix40.  Our bronze were Boys16, Boys18, WomNovA, and Men40.  Awards included two bright red OC-6 saddles now displaying a canoe at Mokuaikaua Church and 2 koa seedlings from Kauai.  Pete Greenwell, one of our racers, will be planting those seedlings up mauka where they are protected from feral grazers and get the right climate.  In 100 years we will be able to harvest them for two koa canoes.  

July 16.  Big Island Championship and seeding of the lanes for state championship in Maui on August 6 occurs on Saturday.  This has been the best overall regatta season finish by the most crews in KCC history.  MOKU hopes to fill a canoe with donations to the Hilo Food Bank if you are able to help out.  MOKU did outlaw our puffy veneer ama for the island championship and Queen Liliuokalani races.  We are still seeking a hau or wiliwili log to fashion our new, legal Hawaiian wood ama because of this sudden change in the MOKU rules this year.  The puffy is legal and will be raced on Makani Kai at the state championship.

Saturday, July 23.  The “End of the road” Garage sale is sponsored by our long distance racing women.  Bring your treasures to the halau area on Friday.  The women’s program will be spending the night to guard them.  Come Saturday prepared to buy and cart away some of those very same treasures to your house.  

July 21-23.  Our youth program will be in a 3 day overnight camping celebration of the season at the halau.  Plans include their preparation of an imu, OC-1 repair, and cultural presentations.  Our youth coaches (Nathan Libarios, Patty Medeiros, and Gina Torres) want to keep the season momentum going with our youth into the one man season.  If you want to donate an OC-1 or OC-2 for a tax deduction or make your canoe available to youth for a good price + tax deduction—contact these coaches or Scott Von Nordhiem, Athletic Director.  We think this OC-1 program will also tie in nicely with our youth grant that that begins in full swing in October.  Terry Trinidad is planning the after school/cultural enrichment program with a variety of activities and facilitators.  We are exploring the purchase of a club van that will help bridge a transportation gap for the after school program as well as our youth paddling season next year.  The van would be paid for with interest earned on an estate donation.

The first order of club shirts and hats has arrived.  The Tshirts are $20, long sleeves are $30, and hats are $20.  The shirt color is a turquoise color and the web site shows the shirt design with the King Kamehameha III picture on the back.  They are made by Happy Shirts in Honolulu, a special order color that is no longer available, and seem a bit larger than standard unisex sizes.  We have also ordered about 100 women’s cut shirts in this design(XS to XL) in long sleeve or short sleeve/sleeveless that will arrive in the next couple of weeks.  They can be picked up at the halau or ordered with the on-line form.  We are likely to order this same color shirt with multiple style choices for men and women again for 2012 if we can get the fabric.  We also have a few Oiwi (light green fabric made in France) women racing jerseys at $38 short sleeve and $43 long sleeve that fit very tight and stretchy. (Call or try on sizes before you send money).

September 1.  Several First Nation (Canadian Native American) paddling crews will be practicing with our canoes for the Queen Liliuokalani World’s Largest Long Distance Canoe Race over Labor Day weekend.  We hope to schedule their program with our youth and we are looking at changing the August birthday potluck from the last Thursday in August to the first Thursday in September.  Watch for details. 

September 3-4.  Queen Liliuokalani OC-6 & OC-12 races at Kailua Bay.  Stephanie Amick/Scott Von Nordheim/Bill Armer will handle your crew requests for this 17 mile long distance race.  Work with your coach or steersmen and notify any of us as your specific requests for a certain canoe(s).  If more than one crew requests a specific canoe, we will resolve those conflicts earlier in the process rather than at the last minute.  The same notification applies to Sunday’s double hull races.  If we do not hear from KCC crews, we do loan our available canoes to off-island crews in the last week before the race.  If you race and the canoes are unrigged, you are expected to come back the next week and re-rig the canoes for the rest of the long distance season.

September 10.  The Mary Jane Kahanamoku Hei Hei Race, sponsored by KCC, is a long distance race for all mixed crews of three men and three women.  Details and registration form will be posted on the website at a future date.  This fun race is the only one with this format that also has a Novice B division/recreational paddler division.  Six paddlers usually recruit their own members, practice on their own, are generally not assigned by the coaches.  Upon receipt of your $120 registration fee to Bill Armer or Scott Von Nordheim you can claim your canoe preference on a first come-first serve basis with no credit available.

Paddlers who share equipment in the little wooden box out back by the gray cabinet will have their OC-1/OC-2 iako and seats moved to a new locker behind the storage closets by July 18.  Boat and trailer equipment will then be moved to that wooden box by the gray cabinet.  Call Bill at 896-4535 to get the combination to your new storage locker as it will only be known by those users. 

On the water!

Keauhou Canoe Club June 2011 Newsletter

May 18.  Six KCC paddlers competed in the ‘Eono Hoe—a two day iron progressive distance race in awesome water conditions. Google the race and check out the videos.  The first stage across the Pailolo Channel from Maui to Molokai was 25 miles and the next stage was crossing the 32 mile Kaiwi Channel between Molokai and Oahu.  Our guys competed in the Pure Livestrong canoe and came in second place out of 13 canoes in this elite paddler race done “iron” with no water changes.  Congratulations! Keauhou crew members for the May 18 'Eono Hoe 2 day 57 mile race across the Pailolo and Kaiwi channels--Kua Nolan, Daniel Chun, Ikaika Hauanio, Justin Warren, Bruce Ayau, and Jeff Silva. 
June 4.  Founders Regatta sponsored by KCC as the third regatta of the year was a smashing success on several fronts.  KCC finished second with 181 points to Kai Opua’s 213.  We slipped from the top of the Medal table with one gold medal less than they gathered (our 12 and their 13) for the first time this season.  However, eight crews are still undefeated (MSo, W60, M60, M55, W50, X60, X55, MO4); two crews earned gold for the first time—WomenNoviceA and Women40; MJr and W55 were the other gold.  Silver medals were gathered by MNA, WFr, MFr, WSo, WJr, M40, and XOP.  Bronze were garnered by MNB and B15 for the first time.  The “Iron Chef” Award goes to Terry Trinidad, Rupert Adarme, Mark Crawford, and Mark Wormley.  The “Boat Handler and Divemaster” Award goes to Bill Hamar and Rupert Adarme.  The “Trash Man Cometh” Award goes to Richard Everett and Bob Bruce for keeping the pier area clear without fear and nary a sneer.  The Octo-crew four 80+ year olds and two 79 year old whipper snappers ran with the specials, the food was incredible, the silent auction was successful, and the regatta finished in record time by 4:10 pm.  Congratulations to all the paddlers, coaches, and folks who contributed in many ways for a great showing.
June 11.  The fourth regatta, Kamehmeha Days regatta sponsored by KaiOpua, yielded another second place finish of 184 points by KCC  to KaiOpua’s 217.  KCC returned to lead on the medal board with 12 golds, 6 silvers, and 3 bronze medals.  Undefeated gold medal crews slipped down by one to seven crews (MSo, W60, M60, M55, W50, X60, X55).  Other gold medals this week were WNA MFr, WJr, MJr,and W40.  Silvers were garnered by MNA, WFr, WSo, W55, MO4, and XOP.  The bronzes were Boys18, M40, and X40.  The “Peat and Repeat” Award went to WNA and W40 for their second week of golds and the “Newcomer” Award goes the Boys 18 for a bronze medal in their first race of the year.  That is it for Kailua side regattas as the next five are in Hilo.  Start thinking about state championship in Maui on August 6.
June 18.  The fifth regatta of the year was sponsored by Kailana Canoe Club when KCC’s medal table domination soared to 16 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze.  The sports editor in the Hilo Tribune Herald pondered about how a club can get 16 gold medals in 38 races and still lose a regatta more convincingly than in any match this year.  KCC finished second with 170 points to KaiOpua’s 217 points.  We know the coach and individual paddler’s commitment to excellence is what makes this happen.  Our undefeated gold medals continued to be MSo, W60, M60, M55, W50 X60, and X55.  Golds were added by WNA, MNA, MFR, WJr, MJr, W40, M40, W55, and X40.  Silvers were B15 and WFr.  Bronzes were WNB, MNB, B18, and WSo.  The “Newcomer” Award for first medal went to B15 with silver and WomenNoviceB with bronze and Lele Wa’a, our second koa making the road trip to Hilo for the first time in several years.  At one point KCC rattled off 10 gold medals in a row starting with MSo and extending to W50.
June 25.  The sixth regatta was sponsored by Keaukaha Canoe  Club and the 20 point margin by second place KCC was our closest finish to Kai Opua this year.  We gathered 15 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze.  Our undefeated golds slipped to 6 crews--MSo, W60, M60, M55, W50, X55.  Additional golds were added by WNA, MNA, MFr, MJr, W40, M40, W55, MO4, XOP.  Silvers were added by WSo, WJr, X60 while Bronzes were collected by WNB and Boys16.  WNA and W40 are on a three-peat march and “Newcomer” awards went to the Boys 16 and WNB for their first time in the medal tent.  We continue on the march to Big Island and state championships.
We hope to have 16 more OC-6 swag hose saddles to paint during this last week in June.  They need to be primed and finish coated starting on Tuesday after the recreational paddles.  If you have an extra brush or roller, come on down, and Tom Sawyer your friends into having the most fun on a Tuesday since . . .
New hats are available now and our new club shirt is in production.  We are only a short time away from finalizing the prices for the web site order form and making them available to members.  You will be able to pick them up at the halau or have them mailed to you.
On the water!

Keauhou Canoe Club May 2011 Newsletter Addendum II

Saturday, May 28.  Challenging swells, hot sun, and a rousing blessing of the canoes marked the beginning of the second regatta of the season at Kailua pier sponsored by Tui Tonga, Kona Athletic Club, and Hui Wa’a O’Waiakea.  In an exciting contest that was quite close at times, Kai Opua came in first and beat Keauhou by 24 points—that’s 5 points less than last week.  It does show us how important every crew’s performance is when it comes to totaling up all the points at the end of the day.  KCC won the medal table again and dominated the gold medals with 13, and added 8 silver and 3 bronze.  Undefeated crews include Men-NovA, Soph, 60, 55, Open4; Women-60, 55, 50; and Mixed 55, 60.  New crews to the first place this week were Women Soph, Men Jr and MixedOpen.  Silvers were gathered by Women-Fr, Jr, 40, 55; Men Fr, 50; and Mixed NovB and 40.  Bronzes were picked up again by MenNovB, WomNovA, and for the first time by Boys16.  An astounding 12 crews out of those 24 medals improved their relative medal performance from last week.  Now that is excellence in action.  The “Hurrraaahhh Award” for the fastest half mile of the day was the MixedOpen crew at 3:48:65 in the last race of the day—a time faster than last year’s state championship in much rougher water.  The “What’s My Lane?” Award goes to MixedNoviceB who sat ready to go in Lane 8 until another crew arrived to move them over to their correct lane 7.  Whew--It would have been a shame to DQ from what became an awesome 2nd place finish.  All crew members need to check the lane numbers and and remember the flag colors on each side of your lane to ensure your canoe has its ama on the correct flag side and you are turning on the right flag.  Jennifer McDaniel gets the “Faster than a Speeding Bullet” Award for jumping in at the very last minute to stroke the Women 40 crew to a silver medal when the scheduled paddler was occupied elsewhere.  Where was that stroker anyway?  Jane Bockus received the “Nick of Time” Award for switching out the paperwork to make that crew legal in record time.  Come out to Keauhou’s regatta next week to see if we can overtake KaiOpua.  There are only two more Kailua regattas before the remaining five races shift over to the Hilo side.

Saturday, June 4.  KCC’s Founders Regatta at Kailua pier.  Come watch the Octo-Crew with those two 79 year old whippersnappers race the young kids in the specials race at 8:15.  Bring some wrapped baked goods—brownie, cookies, cupcakes—in $1 or $2 sealed bags (based on size and ingredients) or a case of drinks for sale in the booth.  Cases of drinks can be dropped off in advance at the halau this week with Bill or Jane, silent auction items with the women racers, and the baked goods on Saturday morning by 8:00 a.m. 

Saturday, June 4.  If the pier is too hot and crowded for you, come out to the cool breezes at Mauna Lani Resort to help at the KCC aid stations for the Rohto (HONU) triathlon.  Call Bill Armer at 896-4535 if interested in a free lunch, a t-shirt, helping inspiring athletes reach their goals, and cold beer when the work is done.  The setting is tranquil, shaded, and mellow until 1400+ racers come your way.

Sunday, June 26:  Kona Marathon.  KCC can raise over $1100 by staffing 18 road marshal positions mostly along Alii Drive and in the Old Industrial Area.  You start early and are done by lunch.  You can direct your fund-raising dollars to the club account of your choice.  Contact Bill at 896-4535 to find out the intersections.

The Mike Haines scholarship is already gaining momentum since last month’s inception.  The first scholarship(s) will be awarded in 2012 and it will be a Keauhou Canoe Club scholarship in Mike’s memory to support a student with exemplary need or merit due to personal triumph or achievement.  KCC will also continue to award the academic scholar/athlete award.  Just make your tax deductible contributions to KCC and specify which fund.  

On the water!

Keauhou Canoe Club May 2011 Newsletter

On two different occasions this week a large aggressive shark has bitten big chunks out of surfboards at Lyman’s surf break.  Exercise caution when doing watersports in that area.

Saturday, June 4 at Kailua Pier.  Founders Regatta sponsored by KCC.  Bring non-perishable donations of soda, juice, etc. to the front shed of the halau starting on Monday, May 30.  Wrapped baked goods ($1 and $2 bags) can be brought to the pier on Saturday morning for sale.  Silent auction items can be brought to women’s practice nights at 5 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and look for Nicky Tachibana.  Come on down and cheer your favorite crew including the Octo-crew (80+ & almost 80 year old paddlers) at the 8:15 specials race. 

June 4 Rohto (HONU) Triathlon at the Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani.  Thursday, Friday registration, Saturday body-marking openings contact Cindy Armer at 896-7180.  Club fund-raiser Saturday, 7:30-2:30 working at Run 1 and Run 8Aid Stations at Mauna Lani Resort contact Bill Armer at 896-4535.  T-shirt, lunch, and a batch of memories provided.

2011 KCC Scholarship Awards.  Presentations will be made at the potluck breakfast at 8:30, Thursday, May 26.  Much appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the committee working with Chairperson Tina Clothier:  Tony Blair, Terry Cisco, Jackie Frame, Jeff Glass,and Gina Torres.  
The Keauhou Canoe Club scholarship ($1,000) for Academic Achievement goes to Pomaikailani Ascino of KealakeheHigh School. Pomai plans to attend the University of Oregon and major in accounting and business administration.  Pomai is proud to be the first in her family to attend college and is determined to become a Certified Public Accountant.  Pomai paddled with Kealakehe High School during her senior year and Kai Ehitu and Kai O’pua Canoe club for four years before that. Her paddling coach says, “her passion for the sport puts coaches and team members in awe as they witness her hard work and dedication to paddling.”
Melanie Wheeler is a recipient of an Outstanding Achievement scholarships ($500). Melanie is from Konawaena High School and plans to attend University of Hawaii Hilo and aspires to be a Zoologist. She has a passion for studying endangered animals and would love to study tree frogs in the Amazon someday.  Although she had originally wanted to attend school in Colorado, Melanie lost her father in a fatal car accident last October. Consequently, she decided to stay in Hawaii to be near her mother and brother.  Her coach says of Melanie, “her work ethic and mental toughness made for a consistent performance” and, “I know that she will apply herself in college with the same determination she displayed in paddling.”
Micah Tanoai  will receive an Outstanding Achievement scholarship ($500). Micah was originally at Makua Lani Christian School and transferred to Hawaii Predatory Academy in order to play high school football.  Micah plans to attend Palomar Community College in Oceanside, California and study Fire Science, eventually earning his EMT License and a Fire Science degree. He plans to return home to the Big Island to work as a fireman and support his community.  Representatives from HPA said this of Micah, “Micah is a mature, friendly, strong and talented young man. He will thrive with the experience of higher educations and all that is available to him in a college setting. Smart and respectful, Micah will also represent Hawaii in a way that will make your club proud.”

Saturday, May 14.  The long distance racing season opener of nine miles was at Kawaihae Canoe Club and KCC entered a record number of canoes(13).  First place medals were gathered by women in 50+, 60+ and also took 6th, 7th, 8th,12th, and 13th places in Open.  Men took first places in Open, 55+, 60+ and 2nd, 7th and 11th places in Open.  Open Mixed took a first place medal.  The “Heart Strings” Award goes to the members of both women novice B canoes.  They waited for one last paddler who swam out to a canoe after getting off graveyard shift as a policewoman.  This caused both canoes to start a few of minutes late and they still ended up beating one canoe for a great showing and congratulations to all the paddlers for their performance.

Saturday, May 21, Kai EHitu regatta at Kailua pier.  KCC came in 2nd place by 28 points to Kai Opua to start the season.  In 2010 KCC came in 2nd five times to Kai Opua, 3rd one time to Keaukaha, and 4th two times by a season average of 39 point losses.  However this measure of club depth is balanced by our continuing  model of excellence in that we stood first atop the medal board with 11 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze medals.  First places were MenNoviceA, MFresh, MSoph, M60, M55, MOpen 4.  Women took firsts in Wom60, W55, W50 and Mixed crews were first in X60, X55.  Silvers were WSoph, MJr, W40 and bronzes were won by MenNoviceB, WNovA, WFresh, WJr, and MixOpen.  The “Eye Opener Award” went to the 60 men whose half mile was 3:58.13—incredible time for the first race.  The “HeartbreakAward” went to the very first race of 12 Girls who finished in 2d place but were disqualified for being over the start line.  The “Excitement Award” went to both Specials crews of 7-12 years old steered by Lorrin Ching and Leslie Crawford for finishing as the first two places in the first unofficial race of the season after the canoes were delivered with five minutes to spare.

On the water!!

Keauhou Canoe Club May 2011 Newsletter

We are rehabbing our wheel dollies again for the first time in about four years at a cost of about $250@.  The only preventive maintenance to help extend their life is rinsing the wheels on the inside and outside as well as the carpet after each workout session.  While you are at it -- give the canoe, iako, and ropes a squirt as well as contrary paddlers if the occasion warrants it.

Saturday, May 7, was the first youth long distance race of the season at Hilo Bay.  Our club raced two youth girl’s and one youth boy’s boat and they did great.  This may be the first time that KCC youth have competed in this season kickoff race.  We do not have the results yet and we are proud of their effort.

Saturday, May 14, will be the first adult long distance race at Kawaihae (we may enter the highest number of crews ever) and the first regatta will be May 21 at Kailua pier sponsored by Kai EHitu Canoe Club. The first regatta race is the 7-12 year old specials at 8:15.  Come out and cheer for the youth in the morning and the “not so youth” in the afternoon.  KCC is the defending AAA HCRA state champion in case anyone wants to know.

Thursday, May 19, 9:15-11:15 at the halau.  Recreational Steersman orientation training session for beginning steersmen.  Individual mentorship and follow-up will be set up at this session.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, June 2-4.  Volunteers needed for Honu/Rohto Triathlon registration/body marking at the Fairmont Orchid.  Lunch and T-shirts provided.  Contact Cindy Armer, 896-7180, or sign up at the halau.

Saturday, June 4, is our Founders Regatta at Kailua pier sponsored by KCC.  We need wrapped baked goods (cookies, two brownies 2" X 2", cupcakes, etc. in sandwich bags) brought down to the pier at 7:30 a.m. for sale to regatta paddlers and visitors.  You can also contribute a case of regular/diet soda, green tea, fruit juice, etc. for sale in the snacks booth.  Last year we made almost $1000 in the snacks booth which helps defray the cost of the regatta.  Specials race is at 8:15 and we intend to run the Octo-crew of 80 year olds with some 70 year old whippersnappers again this year.  The racing women will be running a Silent Auction (they would appreciate quality donated goods or services for bidding) and you just might find that perfect gift.

Saturday, June 4:  General Club fundraiser run by recreational paddlers at Run 1 and Run 8 Aid stations at Honu/Rohto Triathlon at the Mauna Lani Resort.  This is guaranteed as a personal growth experience with only 10-15 more slots remaining to be filled.  7:30 start and done by 2:30 or so.  Lunch and T-shirts provided.  Contact Bill Armer, 896-4535, or sign up at the halau.  We were unable to avoid the scheduling conflict posed by the triathlon and the regatta on the same day. 

Frank Edsall, a paddler who has contributed many dollars to Keauhou causes over the years, was touched by the sudden and unexpected death of Mike Haines, one of our recreational paddlers.  Mike had a heart attack while moving possessions into the new condo they had contracted to purchase.  Frank contacted Wanda and has contributed a start-up amount of $1000 to fund a youth scholarship in Mike’s name via Keauhou Canoe Club.  The KCC Board has supported establishing this youth scholarship starting with next year’s 2011-2012 graduates.  We already sponsor one scholarship and are proud to have another investment in the youth of our community.  You can make a direct tax deductible contribution to KCC in Mike’s memory or read on for another way to contribute to this memorial fund.

Sunday, June 26, Kona Marathon will start at the Keauhou Outrigger Beach Hotel.  KCC will provide about 16 road marshals at every intersection along Alii Drive out to the Energy lab from 5:30 am to about 12:30 depending on location.  The task is cheerleading and directing traffic away from the runners and you are home by lunchtime.  Each position pays $10 hour and you can earmark your earnings to the aformentioned Mike Haines scholarship fund, youth-men-or-women’s racing programs, canoe/halau maintenance, the KCC youth scholarship, etc.  You get a t-shirt, bottle of water and Ironman Performa, and much social praise.  You can also split the position with another person so that each person only does three hours.  Contact Bill Armer, 896-4535, or sign up at the halau.

Saturday, July 23, will be the long awaited “End of the Road” garage sale to benefit women long distance racing.  On Friday afternoon you can bring the possessions you want to contribute to this worthy cause and bring your wallet on Saturday to make some fine purchases.  All contributions are tax deductible as KCC is a 504(c)3 and we will provide you with a donation letter for tax purposes.

KCC has been awarded a $5000 grant from the Kukio Community Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation to establish after school programs and cultural learning programs.  Terry Trinidad, our executive vice president, who applied for the grant will administer the grant which will begin next school year.  We want to engage everyone’s thinking over the summer to do planning and preparation.  There will be a steering committee of planners -- so if you have ideas or would like to help implement this project, contact Terry at ttrin73132@gmail.com.  

KCC wants to explore the lease/purchase of a van (12-15 passsenger) to transport youth throughout the year to take part in KCC activities -—whether it be paddling, after school activities, or long distance race transportation as mentioned above.  Gina Torres, ginatorres808@gmail.com, wants to work with a committee of folks willing to help research grants, funding sources, donations, and corporate support to make a van a reality this year if possible.  If you know of a van or bus that might be possible talk to Gina.  Other clubs on our island support their youth programs with van transportation to practice or events.  

KCC just purchased an official’s/coaches training boat and it is on display at the halau.  Our little 13’ Whaler was just that -— too little and potentially unsafe when carrying more than two people.  We expect the sale of the old Whaler to defray most of the expense of the 17’ Logic Marine boat.  The boat comes with a trailer and will be stored in the nearby boatyard.  It can only be used for coaching and official boat duties -— so advance apologies to all you fishermen and divers out there.

KCC has a single mother struggling to find lodging for herself and her children after the unexpected termination of a sub-lease agreement this week.  They are currently living on the beach in a tent and the kids have had to discontinue paddling.  One of our Board members just donated $1000 today to help with the housing deposit to get the family into a more permanent place until their funding comes through the various channels.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help them out further, you can send the check to KCC with the notation to “Ohana Kokua fund.”  Gina Torres, ginatorres808@gmail.com, is coordinating this awesome effort for one of our own families.

See you on the water!! 

Keauhou Canoe Club May 2011 Newsletter

Keauhou Canoe Club April 2011 Newsletter

Saturday, April 8 at 8 am.  The Green Thumbs in our club are invited to the garden and south pasture area to revitalize and rejuvenate the "Canoe Garden" as an educational and functional area.  We have added a sprinkling system and will be planting new stuff with the help of Karlene Morrow and the Master Gardener program.  We are interested in growing our own ti and perhaps some other crops in the south pasture.  Mahalo to Penny Merryman for spraying the entire area last weekend.  

Sunday, April 10 from 8-2 at Ace Hardware on Kaiwi St in Old Industrial Are.  Women's program are washing cars as a fund raiser and yours needs it.

Saturday, April 30 from 8-2 at K-Mart. Youth paddlers are washing cars as a fund raiser and yours will need it again by this time.

Speaking of washing--we still rinse the wheels and canoes after we are done.  We are just more conscious about not simply running water since we pay for it now.  You are also able to give the grass a squirt now and then when you see it turning brown.

Women racers have set up two additional fund raisers for the distance program.  They put out a penny jar for any loose change folks want to contribute.  Suzanne Shriner, a paddler and owner of Lion's Gate coffee farm is selling her coffee for $20 a pound and donating $2 from each sale to the women's distance program.  Great for a gift on those mainland trips.

Congratulations to the Girls racing program for raising $1400+ at their car wash on March 26.  On April 3 they ran the HI5 recycling program at Lavaman Waikoloa and an astounding 30 bags of cans and bottles were kept out of the landfill.  All collections at the halau support the youth paddling program.

We had hoped to keep the second double hull intact for another month but the growth of our racing programs required more single hulls early in April as they usually do.  The second double hull will come back into operation after the Labor Day weekend Queen Liliuokalani Race.  We want everyone to have a chance to paddle and need everyone's help and patience as we work through the scheduling adjustments.  Each of us started our paddling with support and kokua from existing paddlers and we want all to remember that when you see a batch of visitors wanting to go out. In the first three months of this year, those visitors donated over $800 cash to the canoe/halau maintenance fund and subsidized pretty much all the snacks and coffee you ate after your paddle. Captains are in charge and load the canoes with people--it is not simply a first arrival, first paddle in the canoe. They have to balance the crews.  We will invariably do a split paddle with the double hull to accommodate all the folks that want to go out in those 6:45 canoes.  If you have more than 2 friends or family members, set up a separate paddling time for them with one of the captains.  Speaking of coffee and lights, the electricity will be off until KIC and HECO finish the permit approval process to get the power drop back in the kayak shop.  That depends on repair and renovation of the building and that timeframe is not clear.  

On the water!   

Keauhou Canoe Club March 2011 Newsletter addendum 2

The Halau Clean-up last Sunday was incredible.  Just a week ago we were blown away by the efforts of everyone who came for the tsunami evacuation of canoes.  Now this Sunday over one hundred folks showed up to paint, chip trees and brush, weed-eat, lay gravel, build a new garden and irrigation system, renovate the shed, and other beautification efforts.  Special appreciation goes to Vern Bieraugel and Brandon who did the most awesome job of trimming all of our trees on Friday and Saturday and ran the chipper on Sunday and Tuesday.  What a facelift.  Chef Terry Trinidad capped the day with an awesome menu that Sam Choy is going to feature when his new place opens.  Wood chips are available if you would like a load for your place.  We are truly blessed as a club with so many hard workers. 

Saturday, March 26, is the youth girls’ car wash fund-raiser at K-Mart from 8-2.  Cars are $7 and trucks are $10.  Even if you think your car does not need cleaning—the rest of us think it needs to be beautified.  Get there before the lines get too long.

Sunday, March 27, from 10-2 will be our last First-Aid/CPR/AED class with Professor Moke Hauanio.  We still have room for six more folks in the class.  Call Bill at 896-4535 or email cbarmer@hotmail.com. 

We are short one canoe.  If you are looking for the Hawaiian racer, H4 Kainalani, we have loaned it to Kai E Hitu Canoe Club because they had two canoes destroyed in the tsunami.  They are most appreciative.

Coach Paul Aguirre is working with our 7-12 year old beginning paddlers.  He really needs another coach, preferably a female steersperson, to work with our newest members.  Practice is from 4-5 on Mondays and Wednesdays and races are on Saturdays. If you can help call Paul at 322-9474.

On the water!! 

Keauhou Canoe Club March 2011 Newsletter addendum 1

Paddling is back at KCC.  Eight hulls are available as of Monday night practice and Tuesday morning recreational paddle--two double hulls and four single hulls.  Recreational paddlers need to play nice if there are more people than canoes.  We will work hard using double runs, etc. to ensure that everyone gets to paddle.  (We do not support the "first come, first serve" strategy.  We want everyone who comes to be able to paddle.) A tiger shark is in the bay with all the dead fish and we recommend that you do not practice your swimming stroke until he leaves.  The shark has been spotted as close as 20 yards from the end of the pier. 

There is no electricity and therefore no power for lights or coffee at this time.  We are working on a temporary electrical solution by Thursday.  Avoid using the slope at the spot where the southernmost double hull usually sits until we get more fill material in there.  You are able to paddle so quickly due to the efforts of several KCC paddlers, the kayak company, the volleyballers, and a backhoe operator who worked all day on Saturday and Sunday to help the whole beach get back in shape.  No notice was sent out because there was no way to plan this event in advance--it just happened.  Unbelievable!!

The eight hulls remaining on the trailers will be off-loaded this  Thursday night, March 17, starting at 4:15 and weighed for next race season. Once they are weighed they can be rigged.  Manpower and riggers will determine how quickly those racing hulls will be available for paddling.  We will leave the remaining two double hulls and four older single hulls that are rigged until our normal scheduled Saturday, April 2, weigh-in at 11:00.  At that time these boats will be unrigged and re-rigged as manpower and riggers are available.  We replace worn-out rigging cord and seats at this time if there is enough help. 

Vern Bieraugel will be trimming trees at KCC this Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19.  If you have a OC-1/OC-2 that you want to move, please do so by Thursday night.  We will move any remaining boats that are in the way and work real hard to return them to the correct boat slots.  Other tasks will be posted later in the week to describe the clean-up day on Sunday, 3/20.

Keauhou Canoe Club March 2011 Newsletter

What a group of paddlers we have.  On Thursday night from about 9:45 until 12:00 our halau was overtaken by about 60-75 paddlers with flashlights who helped move all 14 fiberglass, the two koa canoes, and a trailer of one-man canoes out of the tsunami’s way.  Water came halfway up the lawn to about 6 feet below the floor of the halau.  Eight of our canoes were loaded on trailers for the journey to the Keauhou Shopping Center.  The two double hulls, four OC-6, and the Whaler were moved to the back road.  It was an orderly and organized evacuation and folks were able to get back to their own homes (or displacement places) well before the tsunami struck.  A special appreciation to Jonathan Grayson, Scott Van Nordheim, and Leslie Crawford for driving those trailers out of there in the dark of night.

There will be no OC-1/OC-2 Kuuipo race tomorrow at Keauhou Bay.  (Our thanks to the many recreational paddlers who may have already baked a dessert.  Hope it's something you like.)  

All OC-6 paddling is on hold until significant repairs are made to the beach area.  There will be no recreational or competitive paddling until debris is emptied from the bay and the beach is repaired.  We expect to be part of the repair job, but DLNR and KIC have to start everything into motion.  The Beach is part of a SMA (Special Management Area) and there is a permit process for any coastline repair work especially involving heavy equipment.  Other groups lost kayaks, outrigger canoes, dumpsters, sailboats, picnic tables, buildings, and many other items this morning.  We are all fortunate we had so many Club members who recognized the problem and just showed up to help.  The Athletic Director, Scott Von Nordheim, will notify all of us when normal paddling can resume.

Check out all the activities available to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha III next week.  Many activities involving lectures, music, hula, etc. will be centered at our Bay or the Sheraton.  We will post a flyer on the bulletin board.  

We still plan to have Sunday, 3/20, as the Halau clean-up day.  Tasks will be posted on the internet and we expect to work for about 5 hours with lunch served.  Grab your tools, sunscreen, and work clothes.  OC-1 boat holders in racks that may be endangered by the tree cutting will be notified by email so you want to pull your canoe out earlier in the week.  We will move your canoes out of the way if you do not.  We expect to cut the trees by a week from now and leave them for disposal by the clean-up crews on Sunday.  Things will look a bit messy for awhile.  All the excess wood, broken down materials, and trash will be hauled out of here by the end of the day.

We have moved up the boat weigh-in date from April 2nd to sometime this next week.  The arrival of the scale from Hilo and the availability of a certified "weigh master" will dictate the exact date and time.  We want to do this as we unload boats from the trailers before we rerig them.  Stay tuned.

We changed insurance companies this week and all paddlers need to sign the new insurance form if you are paddling after 4/1/11 even if you filled out the two page old one previously.  Racers need the new form to race this season.  You can download the form off the web and mail it or bring it down to the club.  We will not do another mass mailing to all members.

Racers will need to have paid their membership dues before you race in the regatta or long distance seasons.  No one will be carried by the club on a promise to pay because of changes in the MOKU rules for this year.

Keauhou Canoe Club February 2011 Newsletter Feb 23rd additional info

2/24 Thursday at 8 am.  Folks are asked to bring a ti leaf lei or any lei to the canoe blessing for E Ala E.  The ceremony will be shorter than the one for Auku’u.  A potluck and talk story by Bill Rosehill, the boat builder, will follow the blessing.
The competitive racing teams are starting up a bit earlier than past years for this next regatta season. Check the website for information on start dates and practice schedules.  Novice B men and youth girls are already practicing.  
Tina Clothier is heading up this year’s Scholarship Committee and is looking for another couple of folks to help read applications and select the paddler/scholar to receive the $1000 scholarship from Keauhou Canoe Club.  There is very little time commitment but plenty of reward for this important support to youth in our community.  Call Tina at 329-0091 or tinaclothier@yahoo.com to volunteer.
Rupert Adarme, one of our paddlers, is getting his massage license and needs 150 people who are willing participants to see if he has learned his craft.  Call Rupert at 896-9737 to schedule a time with him.  You can’t beat the price.
Very few folks have signed up so far for Moke Hauanio’s CPR/First Aid/AED class on 3/19 from 10-2.  He can take up to 12 folks in this first session.  Call Bill Armer at 896-4535 or cbarmer@hotmail.com to register for the class.  Participants pay the $5 card fee.
3/17 Thursday, 10 am.  The Daughters of Hawaii and the Royal Order of Kamehameha will hold a special tribute to Kalani Kauikeaouli, King Kamehameha III, at his birthsite at Keauhou Bay. Special lectures on Friday night and a music concert on Saturday night will round out this year's birthday celebration activities. 
On the water!!

Keauhou Canoe Club February 2011 Newsletter Feb 17th additional info