Junior Paddlers Will Race Historic Leilani Canoe Sunday

Junior paddlers from the Outrigger Canoe Club will compete in the 40-mile Molokai Hoe on October 11, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Surfing

Junior Paddlers Will Race Historic Leilani Canoe Sunday

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Junior paddlers aged 16 and 17 have received approval to race the historic Leilani canoe in the Molokai Hoe this Sunday. The team will navigate the 40-mile journey across the Kaiwi Channel in the vessel built in 1936.

Why it matters

The opportunity allows young athletes to connect with the deep historical legacy of the Outrigger Canoe Club. By participating in the race, the teenagers seek to honor the cultural significance of a canoe that famously carried Duke Kahanamoku.

The Leilani canoe set a record time of 5 hours 10 minutes 54 seconds in 2024 during the 40-mile Molokai Hoe race. The vessel has been in service since its construction in 1936.

The players

Outrigger Canoe Club

This prestigious organization based in Honolulu maintains a long history of competitive outrigger canoe racing.

Duke Kahanamoku

He was an Olympic gold medalist and a legendary figure credited with popularizing surfing and Hawaiian water sports worldwide.

Bob Topping

He is the individual credited with naming the historic Leilani canoe.

The details

The Outrigger Canoe Club approved the request after evaluating the youths' commitment to preserving the club's storied history. The Leilani remains a cultural icon, having served as the vessel from which Duke Kahanamoku's ashes were scattered in 1968.

The Leilani canoe was constructed in 1936.
Duke Kahanamoku's crew utilized the canoe during the 1940s.
Duke Kahanamoku's ashes were scattered from the vessel in 1968.
The Leilani set a record time for the race in 2024.
The Molokai Hoe race occurs on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This race continues the tradition of the Leilani canoe competing at the highest levels of the sport. The use of the vessel by younger paddlers highlights the ongoing effort to pass down maritime traditions to the next generation of competitors.

The participation of 16 and 17-year-old athletes marks a shift in team composition for this year's race. The team must navigate the 40-mile course from Molokai to Oahu to complete the challenge within the competitive window set by previous years.

The takeaway

Legacy vessels require specific care, and the club's decision emphasizes the importance of teaching youth to respect traditional equipment. Readers interested in historical preservation should look for opportunities to support youth-led heritage programs in their own communities.