On October 12, 1952, three Koa outrigger canoes launched through the surf at Kawakiu Bay on Moloka'i's west side. Powered by six paddlers, each of the canoes were bound for O'ahu, across 38+ miles of open ocean in the Ka'iwi Channel. Eight hours and 55 minutes later, the Moloka'i canoe, Kukui O Lanikaula, landed on the beach at Waikiki in front of the Moana Hotel. This event started the world's most prestigious outrigger canoe race, the Moloka‘i Hoe.

The Moloka'i Hoe has become one of the longest running annual team sporting events in Hawai'i, second only to football. The Moloka'i Hoe perpetuates one of Hawai’i's and Polynesia's most important and historic cultural traditions, while honoring outrigger canoe paddlers around the world. The Moloka'i Hoe tests the limits of physical and mental strength, individual endurance, courage, determination, and teamwork while battling nature's most extreme elements.

Each year, over 1,000 paddlers from around the world compete in the Moloka'i Hoe, the men’s world championship in outrigger canoe racing. Top crews from Hawai‘i, Tahiti, the U.S. mainland, Japan, Australia, and other Pacific nations converge for this ultimate test of elite ocean racing. The title of World Champion is not just earned by crossing the finish line first, but by demonstrating mastery of the canoe, deep respect for culture, and the ability to navigate the powerful currents and shifting winds of the Ka‘iwi Channel. 

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