The Inaugural OluKai Ho'olaule'a Ocean Festival Celebrates Ocean Lifestyle and Island Culture The inaugural OluKai Ho'olaule'a Ocean Festival held May 16th and 17th 2009, at Kanaha Beach Park, Maui, celebrated the ocean lifestyle and island culture through competition, tradition, 'ohana, and giving back.
The OluKai Ho’olaule’a featured a one-man outrigger canoe (OC1) race and a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) race starting at Maliko Gulch and finishing at the Lae 'Ula O Kai Canoe Club at Kanaha Beach Park. Although racers typically paddle this eight mile downwind course with the support of 20+ knot gusts propelling them from behind, on both days competitors faced calm and glassy conditions that tested their strength and stamina.
The finale of both courses made for dramatic finishes that engaged cheering friends, families, and spectators. The OC1 race featured a 180 degree buoy turn to a sprint along the shore, while the SUP race finished with a strenuous 200 yard beach run over rugged coral-filled sand. In a sport that is often supported by the paddlers themselves, OluKai awarded elite competitors with $15,000 in cash prizes split equally between men and women.
Andrea Moller asserted her position as the top competitor in the women’s elite divisions, taking the first place title in both the OC1 and SUP races. Moller's winning time of 59:27.3 in the OC1 race was about fifty seconds ahead of second The men’s OC1 competition was fierce as Manny Kulukulualani, a Hawaiian native, crossed the finish line at 53:28.9, only 22 seconds ahead of paddler Danny Ching. Stand Up Paddle icon Dave Kalama swiftly captured the top finish time of the course coming in at 1:08:18.4, nearly two minutes ahead of second place finisher Mark Raaphorst.place winner Emili Janchevis. Even more impressive was Moller's winning SUP race time of 1:21:21.5, over 4 minutes ahead of second place winner Theresa Felgate.
“At the end of the day, even though we are all out there trying to beat each other into submission, when we get on the beach it’s all handshakes and talking about how fun it was,” said Kalama. “It can be so serious on the water but when you get on the beach there’s a lot of Aloha and there’s a lot of camaraderie.”
Community members were welcomed into the OluKai ‘Ohana as they participated in authentic Hawaiian activities. Locals and tourists alike experienced the thrill of riding OluKai’s iconic yellow and brown Kamakakoa sailing canoe. Adults and kids enjoyed island heritage and culture with an array of ancient Hawaiian games, hosted by Maui Cultural Lands. “The true meaning of Aloha is to love without expectation,” said Ed Lindsey, Project Director for Maui Cultural Lands. OluKai embraced the Aloha spirit by contributing $6,000 to its ‘Ohana Giveback partners: Maui Cultural Lands, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association's Jr. Lifeguard Program, and Team Kamakakoa of the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association.
OluKai would like to extend the most sincere ‘Mahalo’ to Maui County Ocean Safety, Lae 'Ula O Kai Canoe Club and the countless volunteers who’s dedication and hard work contributed to the success of the OluKai Ho’olaule’a.
About OluKai: Founded in 2005, OluKai was conceived from a desire for a premium ocean lifestyle brand with a distinctively different point of view and deep values. We are committed to building a unique and better class of products that blend ocean heritage and modern performance. www.olukai.com
