‘Tackle the beast,’ Waakapaemua crew preps for Molokai Hoe

HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Sunday, paddlers will compete in the Molokai Hoe. The dedication required to cross the Kaiwi Channel is no joke, but another element is needed to make the iconic race a reality for any team.

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Molokai Hoe is the premiere paddling race on the planet, pitting man against the elements in a test of endurance.

“It’s a beast. You gotta tackle the beast,” said Kamakou Mariano, Waakapaemua co-coach.

Molokai paddler, Kamakou Mariano has done the Hoe six times, almost all of them with his friend Lohiao Paoa.

“This is all family right here. Anything should go wrong at any time in their life. They know that they can call one of us,” explained Lohiao Paoa, Waakapaemua co-coach.

The long-time friends will be co-coaching Molokai’s Waakapaemua crew for the Hoe and a few on the crew are novice paddlers.

“This is going to be my first time tackling that monster. So I’m excited, very excited to do it and to try it,” said paddler Namaka Ross.

“We’re stoked because we’re still in that prime age. Not even at our prime, yet we got a few more years and we got younger guys. They can keep us going. We’re just excited to be able to compete,” Lohiao added.

“The work that goes in, I mean, it’s commitments, leaving the family behind to go and paddle. It’s pretty tough just trying to get something going,” said Kamakou.

Finding time to train isn’t the only challenge. According to Mariano, paddling is an expensive sport so fundraising is one of the ways they can travel.

For the 12 of them to travel, costs can start at $2,500. Whatever they don’t raise, they pay out of pocket.

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They do it because they love it and because it’s in their DNA.

“Something about paddling from island to island or sailing, and you’re doing it with, there’s nothing but yourself, and the elements it’s special,” said Paoa. Being part of something that is bigger than just you, that’s why we do it. The struggles that we go through all in the season and then to finish it together, that’s the fun part.”

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