Kikaha O Ke Kai paddlers to race at world sprint championships in Hilo

Kikaha’s 70s men’s crew is racing in the 2024 IVF World Sprint Championship in Hilo, which is scheduled for Aug. 16-23.

Craig Holt, Lon Kincannon, Joseph Wall, Doug Close, Jim Hill and David Oreiro will race in V6 events for 500 and 1,000 meters in the men’s 60s and 70s division. Holt will race in the 500 meter V1 race for men 75.

Crew members have been practicing together for months as well as racing in PNWORCA events this season.

Volunteers needed to run cultural event and share their stories

Kikaha O Kei Kai members are busy planning for E Komo Mai, the canoe club’s cultural event, set for Sept. 29 at Owen Beach. 

The event, which was made possible after the club received funds from Tacoma Creates, will allow Kikaha to share its love of Hawaiian culture with the community. 

Want to volunteer? Cultural event organizers say contact them

A poster for the event is being created by club member Liz Wuerffel.

Volunteers will be needed to help on several committees and those who are interested are encouraged to reach out as soon as possible to help with activities that day, food, clean-up, greeting guests, security and canoe use, said Joe Villegas, a Kikaha board member who led the effort to get funding from Tacoma Creates. The event will run from noon to 4 p.m.

Villegas said volunteers should contact himself (joemamav@gmail.com), Beth Wolfe, Rachel Higgins or Matt Taufa’asau. 

“There’s a lot of the Hawaii culture that would appeal to people up here,” Taufa’asau said. “This is our first foray into this. Tacoma Creates wants to have these events in Tacoma for the enrichment of the community. We want people to come out and be transported to Hawaii.”

A key part of the event will be sharing stories about Hawaiian culture. Club members interested in participating are encouraged to pitch their ideas to event organizers, Villegas said. They should think about what Hawaiian culture means to them. 

“What part of the culture do they take to heart?” Villegas said.

Tacoma Creates works to increase access to culture, heritage and science in Tacoma by reducing barriers to access, especially for underserved youth. Kikaha was one of 74 organizations that received a portion – $17,057 – of Tacoma Create’s $5.9 million.