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Welcome to Kīkaha’s 30th year!
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Tacoma honors Chun Fook with MLK Jr. lifetime service award
The city of Tacoma is about to learn what Kīkaha, and the PNW paddling community, have known for years: Boy Chun Fook is a gracious and giving man whose passion for outrigger canoe paddling is matched only by his love for sharing Hawaiian culture.
Chun Fook is the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award – Lifetime Service Award. The award, given out since 2007, is part of the city’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, which is now in its 40th year. Chun Fook will be honored at the event, held on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center – Ballroom, located at 1500 Commerce St. in downtown Tacoma.
All Kīkaha members, family and friends are invited to the celebration, which starts at 1 p.m. It will be hosted by humanitarian Kwabi Amoah-Forson.
“What an honor,” Chun Fook said. “I just feel it’s all of us Kīkaha ‘ohana and the Hawaiian/Asian community that gave me this opportunity to give my aloha and just make this state a better place to live.”
Nellie Bell, club vice president, learned of the city’s search for nominees in October and immediately thought of Chun Fook, she said.
“His year-over-year dedication is unmatched,” Bell said. “Even through the pandemic, he remained the backbone of our club and events. He leads with a true heart of aloha – always welcoming, always giving, and always with a smile.”
The event’s theme this year is Community in Service: A Path to Action. It celebrates “how we come together, each doing our part to serve and uplift our community,” event organizers said, adding: “Building on recent themes of collaboration and collective purpose, this year’s focus recognizes the everyday acts of service that strengthen Tacoma.”
Former Kīkaha paddler John McCarthy, a Port of Tacoma commissioner and a retired superior court judge, wrote in support of Chun Fook’s nomination for the award. McCarthy had paddled with Chun Fook for more than 22 years.
“I have been coached by, and paddled with Boy and more importantly I have been a witness to the incredible influence he has had on hundreds of adults and children in this region,” McCarthy said. “He is an incredible leader, and he does it in such a warm and welcoming manner while teaching and promulgating the cultural aspects of the sport and the importance of family in our society.”
McCarthy highlighted Chun Fook’s work with children, his work organizing events, races and celebrations and his efforts to share his knowledge at cultural events.
“People follow Boy for a good reason,” McCarthy said. “He sets a great example, and his vision and direction are clear and extremely important for our community.”
Also writing in support of the award was Scott Moody, an early member of the club and former head coach. He met Chun Fook in 1997.
“He embodies Dr King’s pursuit of hope and healing through his focus on multicultural families and kids,” Moody said. “In particular, his focus on children makes Kīkaha the envy of other clubs. This provides a healthy outlet for at-risk youth and supports the mission to maintain and perpetuate Hawaiian culture through the promotion of water sports.”
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Da Kīkaha Korner
There’s no such thing as “off season” in Kīkaha, but that’s why you love it. A lot is on tap for the start of 2026, our 30th year, including a special anniversary logo and apparel. Our board meets on Jan. 11 so keep an eye out for anniversary year announcements. Here’s our schedule so far:
Burke Museum offers free tour to Kīkaha members
A quick reminder: Burke Museum, Washington’s museum of natural history and culture, has invited Kīkaha members to be its guests for a free tour of its extensive collection of Polynesian model canoes and paddles. The tour will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 13. Kīkaha paddler Linda Murillo has worked with Burke officials for several months to make this happen. To RSVP, email Murillo at: lindamurillo@icloud.com..
New date for annual Kīkaha party
Christmas in January? Why not! Our annual Kīkaha holiday gathering had to be postponed and will now be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 S Tacoma Way in Tacoma. Watch your email and check #kaukau on our Slack account for potluck information.
APCC New Year Celebration
The Asia Pacific Cultural Center will present its 28th annual New Year Celebration on Feb. 28. The free celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall. “This year we’re honoring the vibrant traditions, arts, and heritage of our host country: Cambodia,” organizers said. “APCC’s New Year Celebration is our signature event—an energetic and colorful gathering that draws thousands of attendees every year. With performances, activities, vendors, and food from across Asia and the Pacific Islands, this family-friendly festival is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.”
Rigging, general membership meeting on March 8
Save the date: We will rig our canoes for the 2026 PNWORCA season on Sunday, March 8, starting at 8:30 a.m. at our Foss Waterway site, 2130 East D St. in Tacoma. But there’s more! On that same Sunday, March 8, we’ll hold our general membership meeting and potluck following the rigging, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Teamsters Union Local 313, 220 S 27th St. in Tacoma…
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Who dat?
Paddler: Kyle Wynkoop
Club activity: Racing with whoever wants me
Paddling history: Over 30 years participating as an Olympic sprint kayaker, Level 5 whitewater boater, surf kayaker, coach and instructor and extended sea kayak camper.
“I got into sprint kayaking at 12 to get out of playing baseball. Sprint kayaking was awesome because I got to travel a lot and live all over the country at Olympic Training centers. I won numerous national championships at all age groups and joined the senior national team at 17.”
Years with Kīkaha: 2
“Over the last few years, I’ve run into Boy and a few other Kīkaha members as I’ve trained for the 70/48 and on the water just staying in shape. Coming off the water one day, Kīkaha was just getting ready to go out and I saw everyone just loving each other. I realized how much I missed having a club family. Now I feel like I’m back where I should be.”
Favorite race adventure: Water change race on Lake Washington with Kīkaha and solo 70/48
Favorite paddling experience: “Paddling with my wife for a week in the Haida Gwaii, a remote, culturally rich archipelago off the coast of British Columbia.”
Why paddling: “On the water is where I feel truly me. No fear, no ego, no worries, just me and nature.”
Best club advice you’ve ever received: “During my first Da Grind when Aaron Tyerman’s paddle snapped, John Richardson said: Keep paddling, get your head in the boat, we got this.”
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Kīkaha O Ke Kai, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that paddles out of the Foss Waterway, would like to say mahalo to its sponsors and supporters: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Nordlund Boat Company, Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern & Eatery, Tucci Energy Services, Hawaiian Paddle Sports, Aloha Carpet Cleaning and Moku ‘aina Wakinekona Hawaiian Club.
Talk Story seeks to cultivate a strong, unified identity for Kīkaha O Ke Kai, reflecting the spirit of Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling. It is dedicated to sharing club news and managing information promptly. It aims to provide members and supporters with a newsletter that enhances their connection to the club and represents our shared values on and off the water. You can contact us at kikaha.info@gmail.com.