Shell Va’a won its 13th Molokai Hoe title on Sunday.
Shell Va’a won the Molokai Hoe on Sunday, crossing the finish line first among a total of 76 crews that competed in the first edition of the event since 2019.
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Teams from locales such as Hawaii, Tahiti, Japan, Brazil, Hong Kong and the continental United States made the trip in order to compete in the event.
On Sunday, crews began in Molokai’s Hale O Lono Harbor, paddling 40.8 miles across the Ka’iwi Channel to the finish line at Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki.
Shell Va’a won its third straight title and 13th overall, all of which have come since 2006. They have won all but two since then, winning 13 of the 15 Molokai Hoe competitions held in that span.
In 2011, Shell Va’a set a course record of 4:30:54.
Meanwhile, Maui’s Wailea Canoe Club was the top team from Hawaii, finishing in second place, becoming the first local team to finish second in nearly 20 years.
Representing the Big Island, Keaukaha Canoe Club finished in 3rd place overall.
Tahitiʻs Popora Te Hoe Mamu took 4th place overall.
Outrigger Canoe Club crossed the finish line on the Leilani to take first place in the Koa division with Lanikai Canoe Club finishing in 2nd.
In the Masters 40 division, Kai ʻEhitu came in first with SAMPA Canoe Club taking first in Masters 50.
The Lanikai Canoe Club took first in the Junior Men division, with Ka Lahui Kai coming in 2nd.
Full results can be seen on the Race Results website.