Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race start in 2012

WHAT: Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races

WHERE: Kailua Kona Pier

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31 – Monday, Sept. 2

RACE HEADQUARTERS: King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Queen Liliuokalani women’s long distance outrigger canoe race. The Queen’s Race salutes these pioneering women and the support crews who believed in their ability to paddle an open ocean race and steered the way for other women to follow.

Plan to watch the world’s largest long distance race starting at 7:30 a.m. at Kailua Bay where the women paddle the Kona coast and head for their finish line 18 miles away at Honaunau.

Men’s crews race back from H0naunau back to Kailua starting at 11:45 am.. The first men’s crew is expected to cross the finish line in Kailua Bay about 1 p.m.

Seven countries will be represented as outrigger canoes line up in Kailua Bay including Australia, Canada, German, Japan, New Zealand, Tahiti, Singapore and nearly 100 crews from U.S. including Arizona, California, Hawaii, Washington.

The 2013 Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races include the signature 18-mile long distance single hull 6-person canoe race for men and women crews; 6-mile men and women Wa’a kaulua (double hull canoes) races; stand-up paddleboard races including a stock 3.5 mile course and an unlimited 4.5 course sponsored by Hulakai, surfing Hawaii since 1963, OC1-man, OC2-man and Teen long distance canoe races.

Back for its fourth year is the Alii Challenge, blend of Survivor and Amazing Race, that includes a paddling distance of almost 17.5 miles followed by each crew of 12 negotiating a land course.

Other Queen’s Race events include Walking Tour of Historic Kailua Village, International Paddlers Night, Torch Light Parade through Historic Kailua Village, Ocean lifestyle street fair, Queen Liliuokalani Awards Ceremonies and a traditional Hawaiian Luau.

Other official Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race events unfold throughout the three-day weekend:

Sunday, Sept. 1

Waa Kaulua (races for double hull canoes)
OC1 (one person) & OC2 Races (two person)
Stand-up Paddleboard Short and Long Course Race
Teen (single hull canoes)

Monday, Sept. 2

Alii Challenge (a blend of Survivor and Amazing Race) with single hull canoes – 12 person crews.

The 2013 Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races are sponsored in part by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Queen K Tesoro, Steinlager, Kialoa, Ocean Paddler Television, Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Hulakai and numerous corporate and community donors.