June 2009 - Pacific Paddler

A l o h a
Contents
It's been a tough
year for race organizers.
Sponsorship
is down and costs
are going up. As the
economy contracts,
it's becoming harder
to maintain the status
quo. The burden is
moving to the paddlers to come up with extra
money to participate. At Pacific Paddler,
we also have seen a drop in revenue and
have considered, after 13 years, to call it
quits. It has become obvious to me that there
is a core group of our advertisers who are
passionate about supporting our efforts to
provide the paddling community with their
own publication. Thank you. It is also
obvious to me that there are a few businesses
who target the paddling community to make
a livelihood, but don't give back. Have you
seen TV ads or print ads, in newspapers
and other magazines, who have paddlers
in their ads to identify their business with the
paddling community's lifestyle, but don't actually
help the paddling community financially
There are many that come to mind. I think if
your business targets paddlers, or you use
paddling images to promote your business,
you should be helping the paddling community
out. Molokai Hoe & Na Wahine are
classic examples. They have been hurting for
financial assistance, and no BIG businesses;
banks, airlines, or communications giants
have come to their rescue. So race organizers
have to pass the extra expenses on to
the paddlers. What can we do Don't buy
their products or services. Support race sponsors
and our advertisers. To the businesses
that support Hawaii's State Team sport,
Mahalo. Your financial generosity will help to
keep kids in canoes, and provide a lifestyle
that celebrates our cultural heritage.
May your businesses prosper.
A Shark Tour operator heads out
to feed the sharks while his paying
customers watch within the safety of
a cage. If the sharks start to follow
the 'chum boats' back to shore,
paddlers won't have the benefit of a
cage to prevent an attack.
George Perry Memorial 6
Kanaka Ikaika States 10
Kahala Challenge 12
Dale Hope 16
Steinlager Kaiwi Solo 18
Kaiwi Channel Relay 23
Kauai World Challenge 30
Kaluhiokalani-Chun Fook 33
A Tahiti sailing adventure 34
Maui’s Pailolo Challenge 35
Mark Raaphorst 36
SUP and have fun 38
Paddling in the Northwest 39
Gold Coast Cup 40
Sam Rodrigues 42
Published by: Ropati Hebenstreit
Writers: Krishna Chatterjee
Sylvain, Laola Lake Aea, Mavis
Aiu, Sharon Balidoy, Joshua
Dang “JD”, Amy Graves, Peter
Dorries, Peter Caldwell
Photos: Katie Slocumb, Keoni
Watson, Peter Caldwell,
Mavis Aiu, Matt Carter, Ropati
Hebenstreit
Proof reader: Amy Hebenstreit
CORRECTION: In April's
edition, page 38, Kalapaki
Bay, Kauai, the Canoe
surfing event was covered
by Mavis Aiu.
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Send check to:
Pacific Paddler
PO Box 300345,
Ka'a'awa, HI 96730
or visit pacificpaddler.com
June 2009 Vol 14.2
On the cover
Action on the turn buoy at the
George Perry Memorial Race,
photo Ropati
Address: PO Box 300345,
Ka‘a‘awa, HI 96730
PHONE: (808) 351-2398
EMAIL: info@pacificpaddler.com
www. pacificpaddler.com
Printed at Trade Publishing Co.
Ph: (808) 848-0711
Mission Statement: to
bring the excitement of
outrigger paddling to a
larger audience. We feel
that Pacific Paddler’s hui
of supporters, contributors,
subscribers and advertisers is
helping the sport grow, not
only here in Hawaii, but
around the world. Thanks for
your contribution to the sport.
© 2009 Pacific Paddler is published six
times a year. No reproduction without permission.
No responsibility is assumed by publisher
as to the contents’ accuracy or completeness.