Pacific Paddler June 2014 - (Page 32)
Coach Kevin Mokuahi's family
Kevin's Novice B crew, at the 'States' in Maui, get ready to paddle out and race
Kevin Mokuahi has paddled most of his life. Like
most growing up here in the islands, he spent a lot of
time in the ocean. Growing up during the 60's, Kevin
worked at Waikiki Beach with his uncle. His family's family are all paddlers. Even Nappy Napoleon is
part of his ohana. "Imagine if we all joined the same
club?" he mentioned as we talked after his first annual
Island to Island race. "We'd all be legends."
of the guys that have been paddling for a long time, paddlers that do the one-man training, paddlers that are always on top, want to go to bigger clubs. I just want people
to learn about paddling. Winning is going to come naturally, it's all about how much you want to put into it. If you
want to join a club that doesn't push, that treats everyone
as equals, come on over. We are here to help each other
and hit the goals we want to hit. Believe in yourself and
the 'Man Upstairs'", he said.
Lokahi Canoe Club was his 'family' of choice. (He
prefers to call clubs families.) Throughout the 80s, Lokahi was a powerhouse at Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a
(Hui Wa'a). He paddled and coached at Lokahi for
27 years. His youth program was one of the strongest
in the state.
In the club's early days, there were just five paddlers
and the recreational church members. Then one day
the ministry asked Kevin what they would need to do
to join an association. With his background at Lokahi,
he knew the steps they would have to take.
"Watching these kids that I had coached who were
then 12 who now are coaching and still paddling
makes me feel blessed," he said. "Paddling is good
at getting everyone together as a family. It's not just
about the winning, it's experiencing the ocean and
learning about Polynesian paddling," he said. "Along
with the lord and my family, it is part of my life."
"We'll need a president, a vice president, a secretary,
treasurer and a fund-raising committee," he told them.
Then they asked for help from the other clubs for canoes to practice with. Nappy Napoleon of Anuenue Canoe Club lent him a few canoes so he could put together
a double-hull, which is helpful when teaching new paddlers the ins-and-outs of paddling.
After nearly three decades paddling with Lokahi,
Kevin had to take a break to care for his father. When
he returned to paddle, he had a strong desire to give
back to the sport that had given him so much. Word
of Life Pastor Chauncey Pang had a canoe for recreational paddling; Kevin had coached his son. Pastor
Chauncey approached Kevin asking if he could teach
his group of recreational paddlers about paddling and
that's how Kevin started sharing with the ministry.
Olelo grew as more paddlers were attracted to the
"He knew I had a vision and he had a vision. His
goal was to reach out to people. My goal was to get
back into paddling and give back to the sport". Now
he shares Pastor Chauncey's vision and together with
the help from their ohana, they formed Olelo O Keala.
"Every club does things differently. We don't go out
and push hard workouts," he said. "We paddle just
for the love of paddling, sharing each others company
and paddling as one blade. The main thing is to have
fun and enjoy what we are doing. We all have commitments in our lives, our jobs and families, so we only
practice two times a week." (Tue. & Thur.)
Kevin knows canoe paddling can be competitive. "Most
32
Pacific Paddler
June 2014
ohana (family) and supportive atmosphere at the club.
Starting with one canoe and The Word of Life ministry's faith in Kevin and his faith that the ministry could
provide the support needed to run a club, Olelo grows
while fulfilling it's mission.
"The first year we had six crews qualify for 'States' in
Maui. My Novice B men won Oahu's and got third in
the states." Kevin understands peoples different needs
and different strokes. "A lot of paddlers are trying to
get real competitive, trying to be like the Tahitians, but
who has the time for that?" he weighed in. "I just want
paddling to be like how it was when I first started and
this is why I'm still doing it after 38 years of paddling
and thirty-something years coaching."
Olelo is a new addition to the clubs in Hawaii. It's mission is to help reconnect people to their spiritual gift
through a canoe and being part of an ohana. Kevin is
following his path keeping the spirit of paddling alive.
If you'd like to be part of their family, Olelo O Keala's
canoe site is at Sand Island. More information is online
at www.olelookeola.com.
http://www.olelookeola.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler June 2014
Scott Hawaii State Championships
Maui Jim Waterman's Series
Hinano-Kialoa Coastal Relay
Hui Waa: Island to Island
Maui Jim Surfski World Champs
Coach Kevin Mokuahi
6th Annual OluKai Ho'olaule'a
Canada West Coast
Team USA - Kaya McTigue
How to feel your lats
Pacific Paddler June 2014
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