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Waikiki Community Center presents the 23rd Annual Ala Wai Challenge
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Type
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Community Sports Event
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Date
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Sunday - 1/27/2008
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Time
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8:00 AM
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Location
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Ala Wai Neighborhood Park
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Clubhouse near Waikiki
Contact: 923-1802
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Cost
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Free
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| Description/Comments |
Waikiki Community Center
presents the
23rd Annual Ala Wai Challenge
January 27, 2008
Celebrating the ancient sports of Hawaii's past
Special honorees Anona Napoleon & Richard "Babe" Bell
 Honolulu, HI - For the 23rd year, the Waikiki Community Center will once again host this popular resident and visitor event at the Ala Wai Neighborhood Park and Clubhouse. The Ala Wai Challenge is a fun filled Sunday morning, featuring outrigger canoe racing and ancient Hawaiian Makahiki games. This cultural event showcases how the Hawaiian people competed in these unique sport games that can only be found in Hawaii.
Each year the event honors two living water sports legends of Hawaii. The 2008 honorees are Anona Napoleon and Richard "Babe" Bell. Anona, wife of legendary Nappy Napoleon, held the 1960 International Surfing Championship crown at Makaha Beach. Richard, or "Babe" is a long time canoe paddling coach of Iolani School and the Healani Canoe Club, and currently paddles and coaches with the Anuenue Canoe Club. Both are legendary canoe paddlers and surfers, and have perpetuated the legacy of native Hawaiian canoe racing in the community.
Sponsored by the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, the event also features a variety of handmade  Hawaiian crafts, free entertainment, and a variety of food vendors at the event. You can also experience authentic "Lomilomi" (Hawaiian massage) and "La'au Lapa'au" (Hawaiian medical herbs). Admission to the event is free for residents and visitors.
The outrigger canoe race is a _ mile race along the Ala Wai Canal, which is open to all skill levels. The race is a double elimination, having winners and consolation brackets so all teams race twice.
The Hawaiian games feature the 'Ulu Maika (bowling a round stone through pegs), O'o Ihe (spear throwing), Moa Pahe'e (dart sliding), Pohaku Ho'oikaika (stone throw) and Huki Kaula (tug of war). This is one of the few events on Oahu where you can experience the ancient sports of Hawaiian culture known as Makahiki.
The event kick offs with a double-hulled canoe procession, in oli' (chant) and Kahiko (ancient hula and song) by Na Keiki Kane O Halau Hula O Maiki and Kumu Hula Coline Aiu.
Following the opening procession, there will be a special tribute to the late Michael Tongg, who was a race coordinator for the Ala Wai Challenge for over 20 years. A special race down the canal, called "The Michael Tongg Ohana Race", will be held in his honor. Tongg was an avid canoe paddler his entire life and was the former president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and a crewmember on the Hokule'a.
2008 EVENT SCHEDULE
- 8:00 am Official Welcome and Blessing / Double-Hulled Canoe Procession / "The Michael Tongg Ohana Race" / Canoe Races Start / Makahiki Games Start / Food and Craft Booths Open
- 11:00 am Free Hawaiian Entertainment begins
- 12:00 pm Completion of Canoe Races and Games / Begin Huki Kaula (tug of war) Event
- 12:30 pm Award Presentations
Parking will be located in the surrounding neighborhood and at nearby parking structures such as Tokai University on Kapiolani Boulevard. From Waikiki, you have a variety of options. The organizers have set up the famous "Canoe Taxi Service" in specially marked double-hulled canoes. Look for the pick up areas near the Kalaimoku and Olohana streets crossing Ala Wai Boulevard. The free canoe taxi service is from 9:00 am - 12:00pm. There will also be a free trolley service provided by Enoa's Waikiki Trolley. Please call 923-1802 to find out where the trolley will be picking up visitors in Waikiki.
The Waikiki Community Center provides a variety of services to the people of Waikiki, including an Early Childhood Education Center; educational, counseling and case management of older adults, a food pantry for the homeless, and a variety other needed services. The mission of the center is to enrich and improve the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the diverse people of Waikiki through multigenerational on-site and outreach programs and social services. Together, with its on-site partner agencies, the center serves approximately 15,000 people each year.
The Ala Wai Challenge will also serve as the official kick off to recognize the Waikiki Community Center's 30th anniversary. Since 1978, the center has been meeting the diverse needs of Waikiki's children, seniors and families. Other special events will follow throughout the year, including a signature gala event honoring the Waikiki Community Center and the Treasures of Waikiki on August 22, 2008.
For more information about the Ala Wai Challenge or the Waikiki Community Center, please call 923-1802 or visit their website at www.waikikicommunitycenter.org.
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