OluKai Ho’olaule’a to be Broadcast Nationally on Universal Sports, an NBC Sports Partnership

Ocean paddling enthusiasts all over the United States will have their eyes on Kanaha Beach Park, Maui for the 3rd annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a

The OluKai Ho’olaule’a elite Stand Up Paddle (SUP) and one-man Outrigger Canoe (OC1) races will be featured on Ocean Paddler TV, airing nationally to over 50 million households on Universal Sports Network, an NBC Sports Partnership. 
 


The OluKai Ho’olaule’a is a celebration of the ocean and cultures that surround it. During the 2-day ocean festival, elite watermen, waterwomen and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to paddle race the legendary Maliko “downwinder” on Maui’s North shore, an eight-mile stretch from Maliko Gulch to the Lae ’Ula O Kai Canoe Club at Kanaha Beach Park. 


A $15,000 prize purse will be shared equally between the elite men’s and women’s divisions. The SUP race begins at 12:00PM on Saturday, May 14th. The OC1 race will launch at 12:00PM on Sunday. The OluKai Ho’olaule’a race coverage will reach 52 markets nationwide, including the nation’s top 10 media markets, 20 of the top 25 markets, totaling over 50 million households.OluKai and Ocean Paddler TV are excited to showcase the incredible skill, raw power, endurance and dedication of the world’s elite paddlers while offering unique insight into the authentic culture that surrounds the Hawaiian ocean paddling community.

Telling the OluKai Ho’olaule’a story, the races, music and cultural activities, to a national television audience offers an exciting opportunity to showcase Hawaii’s ocean culture to over 50 million households. We are excited to support the growth of SUP, OC1 and the extraordinary people connected to the sports.

Paddlers can register online at http://www.olukai.com/hoolaulea by May 4 to receive a Premium Race Package including luau dinner, technical race jersey, and a pair of OluKai sandals. Online registration closes May 10. Space is limited.

Getting In Some Training Runs for the Ho’olaule’a

The Ho’olaule’a is quickly approaching and paddlers are kicking it into gear to get trained and race ready. This past Saturday, Suzie Cooney (www.suzietrainsmaui.com) organized a Maliko practice run for paddlers to get some miles in on the famous downwinder.

Coming off an unexpected high surf advisory mid week, Saturday turned out to be fantastic sunny day. The high surf receded leaving perfect conditions with 15+ knot winds.

Paddlers began arriving at Paia Youth and Cultural Center just before 8am and ranged in age from late teens to 70 years young. One of the attendees, Sharina Husted, just gave birth to a new baby daughter 29 days ago and had never done a down wind paddle before! Paddlers consisted of local Mauians to visitors from Canada, California and England.

22 of the paddlers had never paddled this down wind stretch on the north shore of Maui. To them, Suzie’s Practice Fun Paddle was a huge sense of accomplishment and a great way to build up some confidence prior to the upcoming race. Want to know more about Suzie? Check out her blog at http://www.suzietrainsmaui.com/blog/ for training tips and future fun paddles she’s hosting.

Not quite ready for the full throttle of the full 8-mile Maliko race? Then the ‘Ohana Fun Paddle may be more your speed. It’s a 3-mile non-competitive, non-timed paddle. It starts at 9:00am on Sat May 14 and runs downwind from Paia Bay to Kanaha Beach Park. All human-powered ocean craft are allowed and a portion of the proceeds go to the OluKai ‘Ohana Giveback Program.

Learn more about the Ho’olaule’a and sign up for all races at http://www.olukai.com/Hoolaulea/about

Mahalo!

OluKai Wins 'Breakthrough Brand of the Year' at SIMA Image Awards!

What a great way to start the weekend! We are truly honored to be awarded the ‘Breakthrough Brand of the Year’ at last night’s SIMA Image Awards. Thank you for your support and for being part of the ‘Ohana. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Save The Date - 3rd Annual OluKai Ho'olaule'a

The 3rd annual OluKai Ho'olaule'a will be held May 14-15, 2011. Check back soon for more information. Watch the video below for coverage of last year's event.

Fall 2011 Tradeshow Announcement...

We're getting ready to hit the road for Surf Expo! Need to secure a time to get the first look at our Fall 2011 collection? Give us a call at 877-265-8524 and we will be happy to set you up.

OluKai Nominated for Two SIMA Image Awards!

OluKai is proud to receive the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Image Award nominations for "Breakthrough Brand of the Year" as well as "Footwear Product of the Year" for the Kia’i Trainer. OluKai is deeply thankful to our employees, retail partners, and everyone who wears OluKai for supporting our mission to build a unique and better class of products that blend ocean heritage with modern performance.

A final round of voting among SIMA member companies and specialty retailers will determine category winners. SIMA Image Award winners will be announced during the SIMA Image Awards ceremony (February 3, 2011) at the House of Blues Anaheim.

Team Kamakakoa’s Record Breaking 2010 Season

OluKai’s Team Kamakakoa captures the overall title for the 2010 Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association race season. The team dominated this year winning 4 out of 6 races earning them their 13th HSCA season title. Marvin Otsuji celebrated his 22nd year as Master Steersman for Team Kamakakoa.

“Every race presents its own challenges, it keeps things interesting” says Otsuji. This year’s team really came together. The knowledge and skill of the veterans blended with the raw power and endurance of the up-and-coming guys created a true force to be reckoned with.

Race #1: Keokea to Hana to Kahului May 1-2 – 1st Place
Race #2: Maui to Molokai’i June 4-6 – 1st Place
Race #3: Molokai’i to Kualoa July 10 – 1st Place
Race #4: Kualoa to Haleiwa July 11 – 2nd Place
Race #5: Na Holo Kai August 14 - 1st Place
Race #6: Kendall Cup – 2nd Place

There is a lot of momentum around Team Kamakakoa and the growing sport of Sailing Canoe racing. “Athletes and waterman from over Hawaii are proud to be involved in the sport,” says Otsuji. Canoe sailing is a true test of a waterman’s skills and a way to connect with tradition and heritage.

Congratulations to Team Kamakakoa for a fantastic, record breaking season!