PADDLING, PERSEVERANCE AND FRIENDSHIP

By. David S. Vogel

Growing up in Honolulu, I always felt a connection to Oahu. I graduated from Punahou School in 1991 and visit my parents every summer. During one of these trips, I stayed in a home above the Waimanalo Canoe Club. Little did I know this place would challenge me in unexpected ways.

Canoeing had been a memory from my high school days, so seeing the sleek, traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoes gliding through the waters of Waimanalo Bay stirred something within me. Eager to reconnect with the sport, I went down to the club and asked if I could join a session.

The seasoned paddlers eyed me with curiosity and skepticism, recognizing me as a “haole,” a non-native. They decided to test my resolve, handing me the heaviest, slowest, and hardest canoe to row.

Undeterred, I accepted the challenge. They watched, expecting me to give up, but I didn’t. By overcoming the challenge, I was welcomed into their Ohana  (family). This camaraderie blossomed into a deep friendship, extending beyond the shores of Waimanalo Bay.

My involvement with the Waimanalo Canoe Club grew, and I proposed a sponsorship for them from VoLo Foundation. Since our organization focuses on sustainability and community enrichment, we found a perfect match in the canoe club for our organizational goals, with its strong ties to Hawaiian culture and environmental stewardship.

Together, we aim to preserve the coastal ecosystem, support youth programs, and promote cultural heritage. The partnership thrived, rooted in mutual appreciation and a shared vision for the future.

Every summer, I return to the island, not just to see my parents but to paddle with my ohana. What started as a simple desire to row has grown into something far more meaningful—a testament to perseverance, friendship, and the enduring spirit of aloha.