Hui Wa’a O Wakinikona is a canoe club and cultural activity of the Wakinikona Hawaiian Club.  The primary purposes of the Hui Wa’a are to:

 

1.   Preserve  and promote Hawaiian heritage by providing members an opportunity to perpetuate the water sport and competitive spirit of Hawaiian outrigger canoe racing.

 

2.   Provide the resources to teach and learn Hawaiian customs and culture.

 

3.   Encourage fitness and health through the sport, and provide and opportunity for fellowship.

 

 

 

FUTURE OF THE HUI WA'A O WAKINIKONA?

 

We need for members and interested paddlers to come out on Saturdays and meet with Stan Dahlin for recreational paddling.  Due to low turnout of members it is becoming more difficult to justify the use and maintenance costs of our OC-6 canoes.  Please come out, participate and keep this Wa'a running for years to come!!

 

Wa'a Team Paddling

 

The Hui Wa’a has both recreational and competitive canoe paddlers (na hoe wa’a) with varying degrees of skill and experience.  Club paddles are available for the beginning paddlers. 

 

Fitness & Training

 

The sport requires physical strength, conditioning, timing and teamwork.  This is built up over time and practice, as well as exposure to varying weather and water conditions.  The Hui Wa’a usually starts its weekly practice schedule in early April.  Practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 to 7:30 PM and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.  The practices are held at our “beach” on Lake Union, just NE of Gas Works Park on Northlake Way, adjacent to Donato’s boat yard.  Regular attendance at practice is strongly encouraged to build up stamina and hone teamwork.  Conditioning is important for those who want to become competitive paddlers as both the sprints and long distance races require discipline and a high level of fitness.

 

Safety

 

The Hui Wa’a emphasizes safety by ensuring paddlers can pass a float test, carries personal floatation devices in each canoe and annually practices procedures for righting a canoe that may huli (turns over).  Further, practice courses follow closely along the shoreline.

 

Racing & Activities

 

The Hui Wa’a is one of 14 canoe clubs in Western Washington and Northern Oregon participating in the racing season organized by the Pacific Northwest Outrigger Racing Canoe Association (PNW-ORCA).  The association operates under the guidance of USA Canoe/Kayak, the governing body for canoe and kayak racing in the United States.

The Hui Wa’a participates in social events held by the parent club.

 

For more Information on the Wakinikona Hui Wa'a or in becoming a member of our team, please contact Stan Dahlin.