World’s Largest Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race

The 2017 Queen Lili‘uokalani Long Distance Canoe Race, the world’s largest long distance outrigger canoe race, welcomes paddlers from around the world to its starting line for five days of exciting canoe racing.

As the State’s Official Team Sport, outrigger canoe racing is a significant and fundamental Hawaiian cultural event in Hawaii. Kona’s place in canoe regatta history is unrivaled and for the last four decades, the Queen Lili‘uokalani Long Distance Canoe Races has continued to share Hawaiian culture through the sport of outrigger canoe racing with the world.

Queen’s Race participants are immersed in culture and history, including the spectator-friendly signature18-mile race on Saturday that follows a historically and culturally significant course running between Kamakahonu Bay, a National Historic Site and Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park. 

Other Queen’s Race cultural events include a Historic Walking Tour through Historic Kailua Village, multi-day Hawaiian Cultural Fair, International Paddlers Night, Paddling Talk Story, Torch Light Parade, and a traditional Hawaiian Luau.

The 2017 Queen Lili’uokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races are sponsored in part by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Queen K 76, Corona, OluKai, Ocean Paddler Television, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Hulakai and numerous corporate and community donors.

Thursday, August 31 through Monday, September 4, 2017 – Long distance race: September 2, 2017