We'll have the details and website better updated in the near future.

Congratulations to Jeremy Riggs who took first for a second year in a row on a 14' SUP board with a time of 1.07.00 - just 3 seconds off his 2010 time!

Devin Blish conquered the women's field with a time of 1.14.19. Molokai's Clint Labrador represented the Friendly Isle well taking first with in the unlimited division in 1.12.10.

All of here on Molokai would like to thank new and returning friends from Maui and Oahu who helped to make this event a pleasure to host - here's to seeing all again next year!

Ground Transportation

We will provide pickup Saturday morning for paddlers, their families and boards for a minor fee. The same van will ferry paddlers to the starting line, and, after the race, drop off at the ferry for the afternoon trip back to Maui.

For questions regarding ground transportation call Clare Mawae: 808-36-0946.

By the weekend we'll have updated rentals listed on the accomations page - hand tight!

Date: Saturday, May 28, 2011

Time: Registration at 12pm. Start at 1pm.

Place: Kamalo Wharf to Hotel Molokai - 8.5 miles straight downwind

Building on last year's event, we're gearing up for bigger sponsors, more competitors, and the same Molokai-style good times! Stay tuned for incremental updates on our update page.

I'll be working on the 2011 race art for the t-shirts and marketing in the coming months. We'll also be signing up sponsors - if you're interested in affiliating with this quality event, call Todd Yamashita at 808-646-0542.

By Heather Driscoll - Molokai Dispatch Reporter

First Molokai Holokai draws crowd of paddlers.

Gusty tradewinds, high tides, a broken paddle and 27 intense competitors defined the isle’s first-ever Molokai Holokai stand up paddle race held last Saturday.

The Labor Day weekend race featured paddlers big and small, eager to compete in a downwind run that spanned 8.5 miles, starting at Kamalo Wharf and ending at Hotel Molokai. The race, hosted by Molokai `Ohana Surf Club, welcomed men and women of all ages, and attracted several off-islanders.

“I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity to be here paddling on such a beautiful day,” said Sharon Look of Maui, who was the first wahine to finish the race. “The conditions were epic, the wildlife was bountiful.”

Top finisher Jeremy Riggs zipped through the two flags marking the finish line on a 14’ board with a time of 1:06:57.

“This is one of the greatest runs in the world,” said Riggs, who came from Maui just to participate in the day’s race. “It was a surf extravaganza – like riding a continuous wave.”

Another top finisher was Maui’s Jack Dyson, first in the unlimited division with a time of 1:10:45. Molokai paddlers were well represented by Asa Ward snagging second place in the unlimited division, 1:11:09, and Carlos Kuhn taking gold in the stock division with 1:19:04.

The race was split into multiple divisions based on board sizes and equipment, allowing everyone to compete without having to buy new stand up gear.

“This race is for everyone, especially for Molokai athletes who don’t have the chance to travel to off-island races,” said organizer Todd Yamashita. “It’s run by Molokai, for Molokai.” The race’s tagline, Stand Up for Our People, reflects Yamashita’s mission to benefit Molokai.

Also channeling the rough waters inside the reef were three Molokai keiki, all of whom completed the race within seconds of each other.

“I feel like I’m going to collapse,” said exhausted 10-year-old Josie Mawae, who came first of all the keiki. “I’m so happy I won.”

While most competitors experienced smooth sailing, local boy Eric Co witnessed his paddle break in two halfway through the race. Capt. Clay Ching, who manned the support boat, came to the rescue with a roll of duct tape. After Co secured his paddle, he got back up and finished the race “Molokai style.”

After the last of the competitors reached shore, prizes were handed out graciously, ranging from brand new paddles, T-shirts and DVDs to Hotel Molokai vouchers and bags of coffee provided by Coffees of Hawaii.

All proceeds went to the Molokai `Ohana Surf Club to help sustain further surf and stand up paddle events, as well as new equipment for public use.

Off-island Divisions:

• Stock (12'6" and under) men's and women's
• 14' (rudderless) men's and women's
• Unlimited (over 14' + any board with rudder) men's and women's

Molokai Divisions:

• Surfboard (boards under 11') men's and women's
• Sock (11' - 12'6") men's and women's
• 14' & Unlimited classes will compete in respective off-island divisions listed above

Youth Divisions (under 18 years)

• Surfboard (boards under 12'6") girl's and boy's
• 14' & Unlimited classes will compete in respective adult off-island divisions listed above

This makes 12 divisions total - the first-place winner of each category will receive prizes. We're expecting the most contested categories to be the stock and surfboard division as most people on Molokai do not own larger boards.

Conditions were average at Kamalo - that is strong and steady 25 mph winds with lots of waves and chop. We started on the beach where we'll be holding the beach start for the race. Made our way over the reef toward the channel in a nonaggressive fashion - that is we didn't cut out at too sharp of an angle - and made it to the deep blue relatively quick. 

Surfing started right away - first little stuff, then full on take-offs, drop-ins and bottom turns. I'd say there was 50-60% surfing in the immediate portion of the course. The good stuff lasted about a third of the way then mellowed out a little bit. 

After 2/3 through the course, near One Ali`i Park, the winds died down near the reef-line and it became more of a flat-water paddle where you try to milk every little bump possible.

I think this will be the most technically interesting part of the race. With windier conditions about 300 yards outside the reef in the latter portion of the course, some paddlers may stay outside. However, at some point paddlers need to cut in to make it back to shore - the steeper the cut, the more time lost. Cut early, and your flat-water skills need to be solid.

Also noticing a lot more people in the water doing stand up on Molokai - they're coming out of the woodwork! Hopefully we'll see them all in the lineup come Saturday - I can't wait!

Still working out transport for Molokai Ferry pickup and drop-off the day of the race. There will also be transport for competitors and boards from Hotel Molokai to the race start. More on this soon including cost.

Finally, I was somehow lucky enough to get a spot on the Hokule`a today. Will be sailing from Hawaii Island to Maui and possibly on to Kaho`olawe and Oahu. If any of you needs anything in the next couple of days, contact my brother Matt Yamashita at 808-553-5011 or molokaimatt@hotmail.com. Otherwise, I'll be back by next week Monday for sure.

In other good news, the T-shirts were finalized and ordered today, and we received more prizes from `Oiwi Ocean Gear. Please, if you guys know anyone with gear they can donate, or prizes the can give toward the event, please don't hesitate to contact us. Mahalo

Coffees of Hawaii has always been a solid supporter of water sports and they're certainly coming through with Molokai Holokai. I'd like to welcome them aboard and mahalo them for sending prizes and registration goodies our way.

On a related note, we're finalizing t-shirts in the next couple of days - if you guys have suggestions for potential new sponsors, please let me know or go ahead and approach them for us. This race isn't all about the swag and prizes - but they certainly are welcome.

Check the video out here.