Molokai Hoe: Epic Race in the Channel

Molokai Hoe 2017: More Battles in Hawaii’s Channel of Bones

Yesterday’s running of the 65th Molokai Hoe six-man outrigger race from Molokai to Oahu was epic.  Conditions in the  Ka’iwi Channel were less than ideal, and the 150 teams participating in Hawaii’s oldest sporting event really had to work.  Nonetheless the finish was spectacular with Team Red Bull Va’a from Hawaii’s Big Island coming in first at 4:50:01.  French Polynesia’s powerhouse crew of Shell Va’a crossed the finish line 31 seconds later.  Oahu’s Lanikai Canoe Club was third with a time of  4:58:06. Paddle Monster OC Coach and Molokai to Oahu SUP champion Travis Grant and his Hui Nalu team came in fourth at 5:02:06.

Wrightsville Beach’s Harrison Deisroth continued his phenomenal season with winning the Junior Division with his Ka Lahui Kai Hui Nalu team, which also placed 11th overall. They logged a finish time of 5:18:08.   These young men have been training hard all year and it really showed in the Channel yesterday.

The Wrightsville Beach Outrigger Canoe Club, an organization that’s done much to spread the love of the sport and culture of OC paddling in the South participated in the race for the first time. Their Sweet Ti team  finished 29th in their division and 50th overall with a time of 5:58;25.  In a field stacked with OC teams from Hawaii, Australia, and Tahiti, as well as California, the WBOCC was the only team from the East Coast of the United States to compete. Well done!!

Full Results

Photo credits: Emily Deisroth and 808photome/Hawaiian Airlines Molokai Hoe