Hundreds of women, once barred from the competition, will take part in Hawaii outrigger race

Hundreds of women from around the world will paddle from Molokai to Oahu this month in a race that used to off-limits to women.

About 60 teams (officially “crews”) of 10 to 12 women are expected to participate in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai (“women of the sea”) outrigger canoe race on Sept. 27.

The paddlers will race in six divisions, including one for women 55 and older.

Men began racing between the two islands in 1952, but women weren’t sanctioned until more than 25 years later. A 1954 request to participate was rebuffed, as were several later efforts.

Two crews of women took matters into their own hands by making the crossing in 1975.

“It was considered unsafe and that we [women] couldn’t do it,” said Nani Olds, an original crew member and race organizer. “We did the crossing to prove that we could do it.”

Four years later, in 1979, the first official women’s race was held. Seventeen teams entered.

Today, working in shifts, they will cross the treacherous Kaiwi Channel during the 41-mile journey.

Spectators can watch from the starting point at Hale O Lono Harbor on Molokai’s south side or from the finish line at Duke Kahanamoku Beach beside the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.

According to the race schedule, the canoes and crews will be blessed at a 7 a.m. ceremony, and the competition will get underway at 8 a.m. The first teams are expected to arrive on Oahu between 1 and 1:30 p.m.

The record time, set in 2008, is 5 hours, 22 minutes and 5 seconds.

A free post-race awards ceremony is to be held on the beach.

Molokai residents are set to host a pre-race celebration from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 25 in Kaunakakai. The free event is to feature crafts vendors, food booths and live entertainment.

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