Fresh Perspectives: HPU Anthology of First Year Writing, Spring 2013

PADDLING: A WORLDWIDE SPORT (By Ali Ishaque) I’ve been a dedicated paddler for four years now, with many more to come. Throughout those four years I have competed in over 30 races, including the Henry Ayau, Queen Liliu´okalani Ironman, and the Kailua Bay Ironman Challenge. However, next year will be the biggest race of my paddling career.

The kupuna (elder paddlers who have paddled their whole lives) say that this is the race that changes you from a youth paddler to an adult paddler: the Moloka´i Hoe. According to the Moloka´i Hoe web site (2012): On October 12, 1952, three Koa outrigger canoes launch[ed] through the surf at Kawakiu Bay on Moloka´i 's west side. Powered by six paddlers, each of the canoes was bound for Oʻahu across 38+ miles of open ocean in the Kaʻiwi Channel. Eight hours and 55 minutes later, the Moloka´i canoe, Kukui O Lanikaula, landed on the beach at Waikiki in front of the Moana Hotel. Thus began . . . one of the longest-running annual team sporting events in Hawaiʻi, second only to football. The Moloka´i Hoe perpetuates one of Hawai´i's and Polynesia's most important and historic cultural traditions, while honoring outrigger canoe paddlers around the world. The Moloka´i Hoe tests the limits of physical and mental strength and endurance, courage determination and teamwork, and paddlers must also battle nature's most extreme elements. Each year over 1000+ paddlers from around the world compete in the Moloka´i Hoe, the men's world championship in outrigger canoe racing. This year marks the Moloka´i Hoe's 59th crossing of the treacherous Kaʻiwi Channel. (Moloka´i hoe.com) On November 24, 2012, I spoke with one of the older paddlers for Keola O Ke Kai Canoe Club. I asked him about this race and he said the same thing as my coach: “This is a really tough race. It’s not for beginners who think they know everything. Only paddlers who are experienced are ready for this race. I’ve done this race for about five years now and it’s still tough for me. But I do it because I love doing it. And to see future paddlers like you who are so passionate about the sport, that’s a really good sign. I’ll see you out there next year!” (Anonymous, personal communication, 2012) I was with my fellow teammate who has also had the same length of experience as me, and this made us even more excited and determined. After hearing what the kupuna had to say, I looked back on my unforgettable experience as a paddler.

I remember when I would watch “Ocean Paddler” on OC16 and think, “Wow, that looks like a fun sport!” After initially trying it, I came to find out that it really is fun. Every time I see a race, I get excited for the time it will start again for my crew and me. I’ve learned a lot about paddling not only as a sport, but as a culture. There are two main types of paddling: recreational and competitive. I’ve done both, but primarily competitive. Paddling represents freedom from everything on land. Being on the water is a whole new world. You don’t move forward by using your legs like you would on land; instead you use your core and arms. Paddling requires considerable learning, strength, skill, motivation, and teamwork. “Teamwork is the main goal,” my coach always told us. “If there are six of you in the canoe, it takes all of you to move it forward. One person can’t move the whole boat forward.”

I learned this a while ago. Back when I first started paddling as a high school freshman, I had no idea what paddling was or how to do it. After conditioning for the first few weeks, we finally got on the - 21 -