As forecasters predict potentially severe weather as part of another tropical disturbance building south of Hawaii, the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association — organizers of Na Wahine O Ke Kai — decided Tuesday morning to cancel Sunday’s women’s world championship outrigger canoe race.
“After careful consideration, OHCRA has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2026 Na Wahine O Ke Kai,” OHCRA said in a statement. “We held out hope for as long as responsibly possible that the race could proceed. However, the potential wind and ocean impacts associated with the developing tropical weather system require us to place the safety and well-being of our entire race community first.”
The statement continued: “This decision is not a reflection of our paddlers’ ability to cross the Kaiwi Channel. It considers everyone required to make the race possible — including the escort-boat captains and crews who must travel safely to Molokai, some by way of the ‘Alenuihaha, Pailolo and Kaiwi Channels. We must also be mindful of Molokai’s limited emergency resources and avoid placing additional strain on the island during a potential weather-related crisis.”
Comments online and on social media expressed disappointment and sadness, but most of the interactions also heralded officials for making the tough call to cancel the race with safety in mind.
“Any day we get to paddle is an honor and privilege; with respect to Mother Nature, we are honoring what the ocean is doing and if it’s not time to race, she makes the call,” said Makana Clarke, who had been preparing to compete in Na Wahine O Ke Kai with Healani Canoe Club. “For our women’s program at Healani lead by Coach Violet Carillo, we were all excited to see the result of our hard work. Though the cancellation is heart-breaking, when you think about the community and the safety of the entire support team outside of paddlers, it makes sense to not take the risk.”
Crews collectively spend thousands of dollars for long-distance races like Na Wahine O Ke Kai, including registration fees, travel and transportation costs, and compensation for escort boat crews and fuel. Paddlers and coaches have also invested hundreds of hours training for the prestigious race — many competitive crews start training for long-distance competitions in the spring, and in some cases, throughout the year.
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“Training does not ever feel ‘wasted,’ as it’s a lifestyle for most of us,” Clarke said. “There are many races to still prepare for and a lot more training to do to improve as individuals. I am glad the call was made early so that everyone can prepare and be safe.”
Since the inaugural event in 1979, this is the seventh time the race has been canceled. The race was called off twice due to life-threatening surf and weather conditions (1980 and 2015), three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-22) and again in 2023 out of respect for those affected by the devastating Maui wildfires.
In long-distance races, crews of 10 women apiece (six in a canoe at a time) are accompanied by motored escort boats and are allowed to substitute paddlers along the way to provide ample breaks and hydration. Last year, 73 crews from around the world participated in Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
Still carrying the banner as the most successful women’s outrigger canoe paddling team in the sport’s history, Team Bradley — which features a blend of elite women paddlers from across the state — has claimed 13 of the past 16 Na Wahine O Ke Kai titles — including six straight crowns from 2005 to 2010 — and still holds the race record time of 5 hours, 22 minutes and 5 seconds, which it set in 2008. The standard of success was previously established by Offshore (California), which also won the race six consecutive times (1986-91) and was victorious 10 times out of 11 tries (1986-96).
Last year, AS Ihilani Va‘a featuring paddlers predominantly from Tahiti knocked off five-time defending champion Team Bradley to win the 41st running of Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
AS Ihilani Va‘a completed the arduous crossing in 5 hours, 51 minutes and 4 seconds to hold off Team Bradley (5:51:49) as well as challengers Team TaiMana (6:03:06) of Australia, Lanikai Canoe Club (6:03:13) and Hui Nalu Canoe Club (6:09:59) and Hawaiian Canoe Club (6:12:26) of Maui.
Last year’s victory included historic milestones for AS Ihilani Va‘a: it became the first crew from Tahiti to win the prestigious race; and the squad is the first other than Team Bradley and the Waikiki Beach Boys to win Na Wahine O Ke Kai since Mooloolaba of Australia raced to victory in 2004.
The outrigger canoe paddling season is scheduled to wrap up in 18 days as the men compete in the Molokai Hoe on Oct. 11, following the same course as Na Wahine O Ke Kai in the final official event of the year: Paddlers navigate the 41-mile journey from Hale O Lono Harbor, Molokai, to Duke Kahanamoku Beach fronting the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.
Race organizers said that registered crews will receive additional information regarding canoe transportation — many vessels have already been shipped to Molokai — as well as potential registration refunds and other logistical matters. There are no plans to reschedule the race.
“Safety must come first,” OHCRA’s statement said. “Mahalo for your understanding and aloha.”