Event Info

What You Need to Know

Race Schedule

The Queen Lili'uokalani Canoe Races are held each Labor Day weekend.

Thursday, August 29, 2024 through Monday, September 2, 2024


Thursday - Hulakai OC4 8 Person Relay 

This fun sprint race consists of a relay team of 8 paddling in a OC4 canoe. Note - a huli is involved in the action! The exact details are as follows:

  • 12:00 pm - Race meeting at the Hulakai tent on the pier
  • 1: 00 pm - Race start (heats)

Classifications include Open Men, Open Women and Mixed. Held at Kailua Pier.

Saturday -  Wa'a Kaukahi, 18 Miles

  • 6:00 a.m. Blessing of canoes and paddlers at Kamakahonu

Wahine & Mix 50+ & Mix 60s+ Races - Kailua Bay to Honaunau Bay

  • 7:30 a.m. - Wahine Iron crews start
  • 7:35 a.m. - Wahine Unlimited Canoes start
  • 7:40 a.m. - Wahine OC-9 (Escorted Divisions), Mix 50+ and Mix 60s+ Iron start, all Women's Hololo (Unofficial) Crews

Kane Races & Mix Open & Mix 40s - Honaunau Bay to Kailua Bay (start times subject to change)

  • 11:45 a.m. - Kane Iron crews, Mix Open and Mix 40s start
  • 11:50 a.m. - Kane Unlimited Canoes start
  • 11:55 a.m. - Kane OC-9 - Escorted Division start, all Men's Hololo (Unofficial) Crews

Bus Shuttle Schedule for Race participants and supporters - $10.00 EACH WAY
Saturday Races Only - Race participants and supporters are REQUIRED to pre-register and pay to use the bus shuttle 

  • 8:30 am - Depart from the front of the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehemeha's Kona Beach Hotel to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau
  • 11:15 am - Depart from Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, return to the Kailua Pier


Sunday - Teen Single Hull, Double Hull, OC1/OC2, SUP

Please note that the following RACE ORDER and TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, with start times potentially adjusted due to canoe availability.

Races start at Kailua - turn at before Lyman's - back to Kailua - note, times are subject to change

Wa'a Kaulua - 5 miles
All races start at Kailua Pier - Turn at Official Boat - Finish at Kailua Pier  

  • 7:00 a.m. - Teen Girls / Boys / Mixed - OC-6
  • 8:45 a.m. - Kane / Teen Boy’s, OC1 , OC2
  • 9:00 a.m. -  Mixed Double Hull 40+ 
  • 9:45 a.m. - Wahine Double Hull
  • 10:45 a.m. - Kane Double-Hull
  • 11:00 a.m. - Wahine / Teen Girls - OC-1, OC-2, Mixed
  • 12:00 Noon - Mixed Double-Hull Open


Monday: The Kupuna Classic 

A mixed OC-6 race (three women, three men required per team). Crews start at Kailua Pier, paddle to Banyans, turn and finish at the Kailua Pier. (Approximately 5 to 6 miles). Awards to follow after last canoe come in

Mixed 50+ Mixed 55+  Mixes 60+, Mixed 65+ Race and Mixed 70+

  • Start Time: 8:30 AM




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