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Cultural events usher in outrigger race

MEDIA RELEASE

More than 2,500 outrigger canoe paddlers from around the world gather Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Kailua Village to compete at the 44th Annual Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races.

Noted Hawaiian Historian and Artist Herb Kane once said “…the wa‘a [canoe] shaped the Hawaiian people physically, intellectually and spiritually as much as the Hawaiians shaped the logs that became their canoes.”

To honor the Hawaiian culture behind the canoe, Kai Opua Canoe Club invites everyone to participate in events that share, teach and celebrate traditions that have shaped history.

Thursday, Aug. 28

Walking Tour of Historic Kailua Village

Hannah Kihalani Springer brings deeply rooted knowledge and a kamaaina perspective as she leads the free walking tour of Historic Kailua Village.

A student of anthropology and geography, Springer has generational ties to Kona and brings layers of history to life.

Springer’s Walking Tour includes historic areas of interest, and the natural and cultural history of Kailua Village. The free tour departs from Kamakahonu, adjacent to Kailua Pier, at 9 am.

Queen’s Race Cultural Fair

New to this year’s event line up, the Queen’s Race Cultural Fair will highlight beautiful artisan wares available for purchase.

Located on the mauka lawn of the Courtyard Marriott (adjacent to the parking lot), the Queen’s Race Cultural Fair will showcase Hawaiian cultural activities 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Artisans and cultural practitioners lead demonstrations and provide hands-on learning opportunities for a wide variety of Hawaiian crafts, including weaving, Hawaiian weapons, drums and kapa.

Enjoy beautiful crafts and local art on display during the all-day fair.

Hawaiian music and hula performances are scheduled throughout the day. Admission is free.

Friday, Aug. 29

Talk Story

Starting at 4 p.m., on the lawn near the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel luau grounds, sit with some of outrigger canoe racing’s best-known icons as these master watermen talk story about their passions.

Each with his own paddling legend, together Nappy Napoleon, Kimokea Kapahulehua and Manny Veincent have shaped Hawaiian outrigger canoe racing and will forever be a part of its history.

The 2014 Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races are sponsored in part by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, County of Hawaii Research and Development, Queen K Tesoro, Steinlager, Olukai, Ocean Paddler Television, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Hulakai, First Hawaiian Bank and numerous corporate and community donors.

— Find out more:
www.kaiopua.org

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