HONOLULU (KHON2) — There are so many great stories coming out of Na Wahine O Ke Kai aside from the raceʻs return after a four-year hiatus. Among the boats making their way across the Kaiwi Channel is Outrigger Canoe Clubʻs koa canoe, Leilani. The Leilani was built in 1933, along with the Kakina and Malie. […]
HONOLULU (KHON2) — There are so many great stories coming out of Na Wahine O Ke Kai aside from the raceʻs return after a four-year hiatus.
Among the boats making their way across the Kaiwi Channel is Outrigger Canoe Clubʻs koa canoe, Leilani.
The Leilani was built in 1933, along with the Kakina and Malie. Outrigger Canoe Club purchased both the Leilani and Kakina.
According to the Outrigger Canoe Clubʻs website, “The Club held a contest. Whoever put up the most money to help purchase the canoes got to name them. Bob Topping, owner of the New York Yankees, donated the most money and he named one canoe after his girlfriend, Leilani.”
The Leilani was first raced by Outrigger in Honolulu Harbor on June 11, 1936.
George Downing coached the crew in the Leilaniʻs first victory after her renovation. They won the 5th annual Molokai to Oahu Canoe Race in 1956, setting a record of 7:54. The Leilani raced several more times in the 50s and 60s until she swamped in 1966 among 15 foot swells and a series of 20 foot swells.
“For two hours they tried in vain to refloat the canoe. Only after the crew had succumbed to exhaustion and the continuing effort in the still rising seas became too dangerous, did the crew put the Leilani under tow.”
The boat partially broke up and was severely damaged but was completely reconstructed and ready to race in the 1967 season.
The other koa canoes in this yearʻs race are Lanikai Canoe Clubʻs Hokulele, Hui Lanakilaʻs Tarita and Puakea Foundation of Hawaiiʻs Hoʻola.
You can track the Leilani and all other canoesʻ location in this yearʻs Na Wahine O Ke Kai on their website.