photo courtesy Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race news release

(BIVN) – The Queen Liliʻuokalani Outrigger Canoe Races return to Kona from September 1 through September 5, 2022.

From a news release issued by race organizers:

After a two year pandemic pause, the world’s largest long distance outrigger canoe race, will once again welcome paddlers from around the world to its starting line. The Queen Lili‘uokalani Outrigger Canoe Races full five days of exciting canoe racing starts Thursday, September 1 through Monday, September 5, 2022. The signature 18-mile long distance race is slated for Saturday, September 3.

Named in honor of the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani, the first race was held on the Queen’s birthday, September 2, 1972. Since then, Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club, one of Hawaii’s oldest outrigger canoe clubs, has hosted crews from around the world including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Tahiti, United Kingdom, across the United States and of course Hawaii.

Kona’s place in canoe regatta history is unrivaled and since its launch, the Queen Lili‘uokalani Outrigger Canoe Races has shared Hawaiian culture through the sport of outrigger canoe racing with the world. During the long holiday weekend, Queen’s Race participants are immersed in culture and history, including the spectator-friendly signature18-mile race on Saturday that includes the historically and culturally significant Kamakahonu Bay, a National Historic Site and the historic residence of King Kamehameha the Great and Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, a place where vanquished ancient Hawaiian warriors and violators of the kapu laws could take refuge from a certain death sentence.

photo courtesy Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race news release

On Saturday, September 3 as the signature long distance race day begins, Kailua Pier fills with canoes and paddlers. Spectators can catch the action and cheer on paddlers as the women and Mix 40+ & 50+ line up across Kailua Bay starting at 7:30 am, then catch the action as the Men and Mix Open bring the race back 18 miles to Kailua Bay. Iron Division crews race the entire course with no changes. Can’t make it to Kailua? Be sure to tune in as Saturday’s signature race broadcasts livestream on Facebook, starting at 7:30 am Hawaii time. Follow @QueenLiliuokalaniCanoeRace for all the race action.

Throughout the five-days, additional ocean races include Hulakai OC4 8 Person Relay, a fun sprint race that consists of a relay team of 8 paddling in a OC4 canoe. On Sunday, the teens single hull race gets started and the popular Wa‘a Kaulua, double hull canoe races take off from Kailua Pier. On Monday, The Kupuna Classic, a mixed OC-6 race (three women, three men required per team) brings the race week to a close with a 5 mile sprint starting from Kailua pier.

Other official Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race events include Historic Kailua Village Cultural Walk, International Paddlers’ Reception, Talk Story, arts, crafts and food booths, Torchlight Parade, Awards Presentation and the Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Race Luau.

Online race registration is now open and crews can sign up to race at qlcanoerace.com. Also log on for general course information, crew signup and a complete list of events.

The 2022 Queen Lili‘uokalani Outrigger Canoe Races is made possible through the support of Hawaii Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program and the generous sponsorship of Queen K Texaco, Ocean Paddler Television, Querido Tequila, Ola Brew, Helekunihi Trust, Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Hula Kai, Kai Opua Canoe Club, Pacific Waste, ChoiceMart Supermarket, Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water and numerous corporate and community donors.

For detailed Queen Lili’uokalani Outrigger Canoe Races information including a complete list of events, log onto qlcanoerace.com.