Hawaiian Sporting Canoes

Built for Speed

Long, lean, and light, the traditional kialoa (racing canoe) was admirably suited for racing. Canoe racing has its roots deep in Hawaiian antiquity. Today it is a sport of international stature, best known through the Moloka`i-O`ahu race.

Double-hull voyaging canoes probably evolved out of single outrigger forms like these. The addition of a second hull provided more cargo space, which colonists needed for food and water for the trip, and to carry the meakanu (plants) and holoholona (animals) which would help them survive as they settled new lands.

I nanea no ka holo o ka wa`a i ke akamai o ke ku hoe.
One can enjoy a ride when the paddler is skilled.
(Olelo No`eau #1240; Pukui 1983)
Tracking the Voyage
Front Gallery of the Hawai`iloa Exhibit
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Revised on August 29, 1996 by mcb