Moloka'i Hoe 2024 in Hawaii

The Moloka'i Hoe is an annual outrigger canoe race held between the islands of Moloka'i and O'ahu in Hawaii. Taking place each October, this 65-km race is highly anticipated by locals and has become one of the longest-running annual team sporting events in Hawai'i, second only to football.

Route and Schedule of the Race

The race begins with a blessing at 7:25 a.m. and starts at 8:00 a.m. from Hale O Lono Harbor on Moloka'i. The canoes travel approximately 41 miles across the treacherous Ka'iwi Channel to Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, with the first finishers expected around 12:30 p.m. The Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at the Awards Tent on Waikiki Beach, approximately 2:30 p.m. This early morning race, marked by a stunning sunrise, promises to be a memorable Hawaiian experience.

Rules

The canoes for the race are about 40 feet long, 2 feet wide, and weigh around 400 lbs, stabilized by a 10-foot ama connected by wooden struts. Teams of six paddlers, with a steersman at the back, race with the lead paddler setting the pace. Paddlers alternate sides, and the person in the second seat directs the side switches. Modern crews have 9-10 members, with non-paddlers in an escort boat. Crew changes occur every 20–30 minutes in mid-channel, where paddlers swap sides of the canoe.

Registration Fee

Registration fee for Moloka'i Hoe starts at $1,250.00.

History of Moloka'i Hoe

On October 12, 1952, three Koa outrigger canoes set off from Kawakiu Bay on the west side of Moloka'i. Each powered by six paddlers, the canoes embarked on a journey of over 38 miles across the Ka'iwi Channel toward O'ahu. After eight hours and 55 minutes, the Moloka'i canoe, Kukui O Lanikaula, reached Waikiki Beach in front of the Moana Hotel. This landmark crossing initiated the Moloka‘i Hoe, now recognized as the world’s most prestigious outrigger canoe race.