We Paddle for Hawaii
Meet the game changers, the next generation of watermen coming out of Hawaii.
It is early morning and the sun has started to slowly brighten up the darkness covering Hawaii Kai. It’s another beautiful day on the island of O’ahu.
By afternoon, once school is out for the community, a group of young paddlers will make their way to paddling practice. On the road, a right hand turn off the Koko Marina highway takes them to the Hawaii Kai boat ramp. There, on the Diamond Head side sand parking lot, houses a handful of OC1 trailers. The Hui Nalu Canoe Club have been kind to let these paddlers store their canoes at their facilities. It is the duties of the first that arrive at practice to unroll the navy blue covers on the boats and put them away. It takes all hands on to lift the boats through the maze of other canoes.
More young paddlers now arrive to lend a helping hand. They greet each other with a few jokes, smiles and brotherly handshakes, ready in anticipation of getting on the water. After all four boats have been moved, the crews assemble and paddle out the channel, weaving through boat traffic. At the end of the channel, they will pass the infamous blinker buoy and can choose to head down wind to Diamond Head, or punch upwind towards Hanama Bay. This group of young guns are called the Ocean People, Ka Lāhui Kai. Multiple top finish winners, and 1st place medalists, junior crew, in 2017 Moloka’i Hoe.
Ka Lāhui Kai was founded in 2015 by Alan Pflueger. The goal of the program is to raise the level of men’s paddling in Hawaii to challenge and compete against the Tahitians, who have dominated the paddling world. Specifically, Moloka’i Hoe. To do so, the program maintains a very high level of integrity and all Ka Lāhui Kai athletes know that to be part of the program, they must commit themselves 100%. Those that make the commitment and have the drive to be the very best that they can be, are the ones that make the crews. Those in the program have doors open to them to train on a multitude of ocean crafts: 6 man canoes (including ultralights), OC1/2/3, v1, prone paddle boarding, etc. With a high level of training, these young guns develop into high caliber athletes. The next generation of Hawaiian hammers that will challenge the Tahitians.
But who are they really and what makes a successful crew?
One of the members of the junior crew, Riley Kawānanakoa describes it as the following:
“OKLK is a brotherhood. We put in hard hours and it shows on race day. But more than anything I know that every member of my crew and the program has my back in and out of the boat.”
Fellow member Kala Diaz agrees:
“It is a new and growing team of young athletes aiming to make a big impact in ocean sports, particularly paddling. It’s a brotherhood who paddle for each other, their coaches, their state and themselves.”
It is this carefully selected group of individuals that create this special brotherhood, ready to take on all challenges. Talented, experienced, and most importantly, hungry. Talis Crew sits down with some of the members of the Ka Lāhui Kai club, the young guns of Hawaii’s paddle community, to find out what these boys are made of.
Please tell us your names, and how many years you have been paddling?
Riley Kawānanakoa paddling for 15 years.
My name is Kala Diaz and I have been paddling for 6 years.
My name is Hunter Pflueger and I have been paddling for 8 years.
Tell us about your paddling experience.
Riley — Paddling is so many different things to me, it is meditation, a stress reliever and a celebration. Feeling and moving with the ocean just feels right. Not to mention the amazing Ohana that surrounds our sport. Some of my closest friendships were formed through paddling along with so many mentors.
Kala — So far it has been a great learning experience for men. From life lessons to learning about my body and how it works, it has taught me a great deal. I am always looking forward to the next opportunity to grow in and from it.
Hunter — Paddling, along with other similar ocean sports, has become a lifestyle for me. I eat sleep and breath paddling. Throughout my years racing, I have been fortunate enough to compete in Hawai’i, the US, and across the globe. The experiences have been amazing as I have been able to share my passion for paddling with other teammates and competitors. Some notable events I have competed in would include the Moloka’i Hoe, Moloka’i OC-1 solo, Moloka’i prone solo, Te Aito, IVF Distance World Championships, and ISA SUP and Paddle Board World championships.
Can you tell us why you are so passionate about the water?
Riley — The ocean is as much apart of me as an arm or a leg. When I get in the ocean my worries fade away and it gives me a chance to be in the present. Also, attempting to find the best line through a rough downwind run is one of the most interesting puzzles I can think of!
Kala — I am passionate about the water because it’s never the same experience in the ocean. I can always push myself and become closer to it on a higher level every session. It keeps my life on a positive slope and alleviates the stress of life on land.
Hunter — The water gives you an indescribable feeling that makes you feel free from everything. Whether it is paddling or just a quick body surfing session, I love every minute of it. Even the bad days on the water are good ones.
Please describe how you feel about Moloka’i Hoe.
Riley — Hoe is the catalyst for most of my training throughout the year. It is what I think about on the last mile of my run or before I max out in the gym. Hoe represents the ultimate challenge of endurance. It is one of the few times every year that I truly empty the tank.
Kala — The Moloka’i Hoe is one of the ultimate races in paddling and a true test of a team’s strength. The competition in the channel that day makes it a dream for all young paddlers, like my team and I, to one day win. After 7 years doing the race I see crews constantly pushing the limits and pushing the sport to progress and be recognized all over the world.
Hunter — The Moloka’i Hoe is a very special race for me because that race entails crossing the 32 mile Ka’iwi channel (The channel of Bones). I first crossed this channel when I was 13 years on a prone paddle board, as a relay team. I have come back every year since, finding new crafts to cross it on. One of those crafts being a 6 man canoe. What is special about a 6 man is that through your training with your team, you form a brotherhood. You build belief in one another that is like nothing I can describe. From the start line on Moloka’i to the finish in Waikīkī the brotherhood is what will allow a team to excel when needed most.
What is your most memorable moment from competing in the Moloka’i Hoe?
Riley — The whole race last year! My nutrition was on point and the boys were hunting down crews.
Kala — So far my most memorable moment was coming one place away from the top 10 in last years Moloka’i. It was my last time crossing as a junior and I wouldn’t have wanted it to be any different.
Hunter — For me personally, the most memorable moment from competing in the Moloka’i Hoe would be the start of the 2016 race. I was 17 at the time and the Ka Lāhui Kai junior team lined up right next to Shell Va’a, the favorites to win. The speed, power, and explosiveness they possessed were phenomenal and I had never seen anything like it before in person. I was jaw dropped as they walked away from the pack within the first five minutes of the race.
What other interests do you have other than paddling?
Riley — Surfing and running are what you’re most likely to find me doing if I’m not in the boat. But I also love talking story with boys and blending up super smoothies!
Kala — I grew up surfing and bodysurfing so I always make time to get in the water and do the wiggle. I love training but sometimes pure fun or the ocean is needed.
Hunter — Outside of canoe paddling I pursue prone paddle boarding. That’s what got me into downwind runs and is what I first crossed the Moloka’i channel on. It’s become a great addiction for me and to later develop the same love for canoe paddling is phenomenal.
Is there anything you would like to say to the paddle community?
Riley — Thank you for being such a testament to the aloha spirit. Hopefully, I can share some of our Hawaiian values with my dorm-mates at USD!
Kala — As you all know paddling the coolest sport in the world so just keep your eyes and ears open, train hard and always have fun.
Hunter — I wish all you out there paddling, a safe and fun time out on the water! Keep training hard and I hope to see you out there!
For more information about Ka Lāhui Kai. Click here https://www.facebook.com/kalahuikai/
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