Hawaiian Supermom

There is an ‘Olelo Noeau, an old Hawaiian Proverb that goes:

‘A’ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka halau ho’okahi.

Meaning: All knowledge is not taught in one school (one learns from many sources.) 

As this outrigger regatta season comes to a close, I can’t help but think of this saying because it is especially true for me.

Some people seek out a club and stay with it for life. But those who are like me have to test the waters in order to find a place that feels right. This means I’ve paddled with all kinds of people in a few short years.

The first club I tried out was in 2000. Lokahi Canoe Club. My husband’s cousin’s girlfriend got me into it. My oldest was a baby then, and my husband was working so our schedules were off. Basically, I paddled for two months or so and quit right before their regatta season started.

I did get into hula though (better schedule) so I was still embracing my culture that way, and my sister and I did that together for several years. (Oh, how I miss it.)

When I ‘came back’ we went to a Christian club called Imua One Blade. Several of the coaches there were so sweet and encouraged us to get out there and just enjoy it. Three of my kids and I raced for the first time, but after that season, we left them. I will always love the coaches, though. Especially Coach Tom.

That year we did the long distance season with Koa Kai, but I opted not to race because I didn’t feel like I was ready. You really need to be conditioned and fit to do this sport, which is why so many people who are in it for so long have such nice muscles. (The non-racing with this club also explains the lack of race pictures.) I practiced with them from late July to mid September and got bruised up physically, mentally, verbally, and spiritually all in the name of experience.

But I’ll admit, I hated paddling and wanted to quit when it was done. I didn’t quit though, I’m not a quitter, I stick things out until the end.

The next year, my husband decided that he wanted to try racing in koa canoes instead of fiberglass so we changed organizations (from Hui Wa’a to OCHRA) and joined Hui Nalu, one of the oldest, biggest and winning-est canoe clubs around. (This club was founded by Duke Kahanamoku and is over 100 years old!) I wasn’t thrilled about it because I didn’t enjoy paddling, but the more I went the less I hated it. I had coaches who were super talented paddlers and they focused all their energy on technique every. single. practice. I still paddle the way they taught me to because it’s ingrained in my soul, we did it so much. Another nice thing I took from this club is the feeling of support. There were a ton of girls in our A crew, but we all managed to lift one another up using the magical spirit of tolerance/ friendship and what’s nice is, I still keep in touch with most of them.

We followed up that regatta season with long distance at Hui Lanakila, another winning club well-known for it’s talented and STRONG paddlers and coaches. I raced Dad’s Center, which is like 27 miles long meaning there were many water changes. I made some awesome friends and I discovered that I actually liked paddling again.

And then we moved. Because paddling was kind of fun, it was at the top of the list of what to do when we got here. So we paddled (recreational) with three clubs: Kai ‘Ehitu, Kai ‘Opua, and Keauhou. After spending time with all three, we chose the club we’re with mostly because of the people we raced this race with:

Now, I can honestly say I am deeply in love with paddling.

When we first started with Kai ‘Opua in March, there were a handful of us in my division and four of us A’s along with two experienced Open women did our first long distance race together: a 9 mile ironman (no change) race. We came in 6th place in the Open division with a time of 1:24:13. Not too shabby.

And now, well you already know the story.

I believe that it takes many teachers to help us get where we want to go along the way, that when one learns from many different schools of thought and puts those lessons into practice and motion, they learn how to adapt to things, how to appreciate others, and how to get along in life better.

I also believe that one should never forget where they come from. I’ve had some amazing coaches, met so many beautiful people, and I’m not going to lie, I met a few who I’m glad I don’t have to be around anymore too. I felt the spirit of sisterhood that exists in team sports with many of the different clubs I was with. I’ve made a lot of friends since I re-started and I will cheer for anyone I’ve had the privilege of paddling with when they do well, and probably always will.

I love it.

Loooooong story short, perpetuating one of the sports of my ancestors makes me happy.