Official Shuttle for Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Races

2010   Annual Blue Sea Cruise Saturday Race Crew Shuttle Cruise

See video taken by LAVA 105 TV on board the Spirit of Kona during the Queen Lili'uokalani Canoe Races on September 4th, 2010.  click on image

Queen Lili'uokalani Canoe Races 2010 from Apachewolf on Vimeo.

The inaugural Crew Shuttle Cruise last year was a huge success. The goal is to lessen the impact on the reef and shore at Honaunau even as this race gets bigger. The feedback we got last year was that not only were we helping the environment but all those that took advantage of the shuttle had lots of fun, and you’ll get a dolphin’s eye view of the other leg of the race. Not to mention the women had adult beverages available during their “cruise” after the finish of their race.  

Last year we used our Spirit of Kona catamaran a for transporting race participants and spectators. This year we expanding the capacity by making our vessel, the Makai, available too. The basics of how it will work is that the Spirit of Kona (SOK) and Makai will take men’s crews from the Kailua Pier to Honaunau, and bring women’s crews back.

Crews will make their exchange from ship to canoe (men), or canoe to ship (women), out in the bay at Honaunau.

Loading and Unloading Ramps
( click to enlarge)

The only way to book this shuttle is by full six-person crews as the boats anchor out in Honaunau Bay, crew exchanges are made from the stern of the boat(s). Spectator bookings are round trip.  

This is a great way to watch the race and enjoy the coastline (And no driving or parking headaches)! Plus there will be food, and beverages of all kinds for purchase on the way.

The schedule will be:   Saturday, Sept 4
***CHANGED DEPARTURE and BOARDING FROM PIER***
6:00 am to 6:20 am   Spectators and men racers board Spirit of Kona and Makai at the Kailua Pier

All Teams must be boared by 6:20am.

6:30 am Spirit of Kona will depart from pier to watch the start of the Wahine Race and accompany down the coast.

At Honaunau the exchange from womens to mens will take place.  The Spirit will then accompany the Kane Race back to the pier.

7:30 am – Wahine Race – Kailua to Honaunau, 18 miles
11:45 am – Kane Race – Honaunau to Kailua, 18 miles

Women racers should send a post race bag with the men to have on board when they finish.

2011 Shuttle for Queen Liliuokalani has not been decided yet.  Please check back later for update.  We are not taking bookings at this time.

May 7th, 2011

****Ali'i Challenge Race***

Ali'i Challenge Race Schedule:  Monday at the Kailua Pier September 6th.

9:00 am – Men’s crews board M/V Makai at Kailua Pier

9:20 am - Makai with men departs pier

9:30 am – Women’s crews start

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm crews finishing (paddling and land portion)

3:00 pm – lunch

4:00 pm – awards

5:00 pm – Bus Shuttle departs Kona Village

Kai' Opua is limiting the number of entries to this race — contact Kai ‘Opua with your intent as soon as you can and they will pencil you in. Find out more at http://www.queenliliorace.com/alli-challenge-race-info/