Molokai Holokai
SUP Race – Sept 4, 2010 – Molokai, Hawaii
Presented by Molokai `Ohana Surf Club

The first annual Molokai Holokai isn’t just another downwind race for stand up paddlers. It’s an opportunity to discover one of Hawaii’s fastest, and least known, down-winders. It’s also a chance to give back to the island which has for decades, served as an integral location for major water-sports events.

The Molokai Holokai is designed, first and foremost, as a competitive venue for our Molokai SUP community.  Many Molokai paddlers often lack resources to attend off-island race events, so this one if for them… but we welcome friendly competition from the outside! Off-island paddlers, you’re invited to holokai, or come out on the water with us, to help make SUP accessible to the greater Friendly Isle community.

The Kamalo run is 8.5 miles of pure fun. Tradewinds are funneled through the Pailolo Channel creating consistently strong winds that are almost always directly at your back. Add in pristine water, breath-taking multi-island views and friendly people, and you’ve got an unforgettable event.

World Champion Andrew Logreco was first in the Stock Class (14′ no rudder) to cross the finish line following a grueling 32 mile solo paddle across the Ka’iwi Channel! His time was 5:25:53. It was an impressive effort as he finished well ahead of several competitors riding longer boards that were equipped with rudders….

His 14′ board was designed and built by Kyle Bernhardt, an insightful craftsman. Here at Tropical Blends, we are very proud of the effort and teamwork it took to accomplish this victory. Also, we’re humbly here to claim the right to having the world’s fastest Ka’iwi Channel 14′ stock board! At least for the moment. Come in and meet the designer-builder, he’s here in the shop almost every Saturday……..aloha!

Congratulations to our champion on the stock 14′er designed by Kyle Bernhardt. World Champion Andrew Logreco finished his solo effort in 5h 26m!! Our relay team of Kyle Bernhardt and Jim Hayes finished in 6h 37m.  Thanks Kyle for carrying the old man and Gary Murakami for the taking such good care of us during the crossing! Mahalo and aloha to all.

Ka’iwi Channel – translation: the channel of bones, aka: Molokai
Channel.The Ka’iwi, or Molokai Channel has a centuries old reputation
for being a treacherous body of water that has claimed the lives of
many, from ancient canoe fleets, to fisherman and watermen.
Today there are official races for outrigger canoe, surf skis, and
paddleboards. Each take place across the Molokai Channel and each of
these races are regarded world-wide as the crowning challenge for each
sport.

The Challenge:
*32 Miles of Open Ocean
Regarded as the world championship of paddleboard racing.
*Traverses 32 miles of rough water from the North Shore of Molokai, to the South Shore of Oahu.
*Covers a depth of 2,300 feet and is subject to open-ocean swells of up to 30 feet.
*Considered one of the roughest ocean channels in the world.
*Ultimate test of endurance – no engines or sails, just a paddler and the propulsion power of his arms.
*Wildly varying open-ocean conditions challenge a paddler’s surfing skills.Top paddlers can ride swells for 100s of yards.
*Capricious currents and tidal effects test a paddler’s ocean navigation skills.
*Record crossing time: 4:45:03, set by Jamie Mitchell in 2004.

CONGRATULATIONS – one and all!

Team Results:

Akeo Cuban – 3rd – Men’s Unlimited – Rudder (29:01)

Dale Hope – 3rd – Men’s 12′-6″ Stock SUP  50 – 59 (32:59)

Ray Shiraishi – 2nd Men’s 12′-6″ Stock SUP  50 – 59 (32:37)

Monique Maronesco – 1st Women’s 12′-6″ Stock SUP  30 – 39 (35:31)

Kyle Bernhardt – 1st Men’s 12′-6″ Stock SUP  40 – 49 (31:45)

Atilla Jobbagui – (33:20)

Jason Lau – (34:30)

Jason Lau

The Event:

For 32 years, the Hui O He’e Nalu (a non-profit organization) has been carrying on the ancient Hawaiian tradition of paddleboarding with its annual “July 4th Independence Day Paddleboard Race” from Sunset Beach to Waimea Bay. This race has been a favorite amongst the novice and veteran paddlers because of the short distance of 4 miles. With numerous age divisions as young as 13yrs and younger to the veteran 60+ age group, this gives everyone of the opportunity to test their agility and competiveness regardless of paddling experience.
Since 2007, we have opened up the race to the Stand Up Paddling community, which have double/tripled in the amount of entrants annually. In 2009, our event set a record of 402 paddlers total making it possibly the largest paddleboard & stand up paddling race in the world! This year, we are anticipating close to 500 competitors!
Considered to be an ohana-style event, the ever favorite parent/child division, in both paddleboard and stand up paddle divisions, provides families the opportunity to experience a healthy ocean sport, together. And to keep with our Hawaiian culture, the traditional all-wood board division is one of the most challenging divisions of all. Wood boards need to be solid wood. No hollow wooden boards will be allowed. This year, a portion of the competitor’s entries will benefit the Hawaiian Immersion language schools as Da Hui has always supported our na keiki; especially those perpetuating our Hawaiian culture.

Jason had a chance to try  out the new 16 pound Rawson 9-0 Extra Lite at Queens.  Imagine the results in bigger surf.  Thanks for the shots Jason!

Still got a couple Greg Griffin ModFish boards down at the shop…come check em out!

We’ve been trying out a number of new down-wind boards in preparation for the upcoming season.  Our focus has been on the 12′ 6″ and 14′ range thinking these would be the easier boards to handle.  The results have been very positive with faster and faster runs.  For my money, I think the displacement hull ranks really high in fun factor and seems to be super quick as well.  The beauty of these boards is that they seem to pick up swell easily and then maintain their momentum over a long distance with very little help from the rider.  Of course water time is an important key but the equipment is helping with the work load.  Anyway, there are several available for trial if you’re inclined to late afternoon Hawaii Kai to Kahala runs.  Just give us a call.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!