KIRA Race #10 – Molokai Challenge

25 May

KIRA Race #10 – Molokai Challenge

KIRA Race #10 – Molokai Challenge
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Presents the 48th Edition of the

2025

MOLOKAI TO OAHU

Surfski and Outrigger Canoes only

Mandatory forms:

Escort Boat Waiver form:  https://www.kanakaikaika.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Escort-Boat-Waiver-Form-2024.pdf

Insurance Waiver: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/PgiUDDKP9GKzjS4PWWnzKY/

 DATE:  Sunday May 25, 2025

COURSE:

Molokai to Oahu. 32 miles (53 km) across the Ka’iwi channel from Kaluakoi Beach on the west end of Molokai to Maunalua Bay Beach Park, Hawaii Kai, Oahu (At the Keyhole on north side of the bridge).

REGISTRATION: https://flpregister.com

TIMELINE:

May 04     12:00 midnight, early registration ends, late registration fee imposed.

May 18      12:00 midnight, Registration closes.

May 18      Escort boat waiver and registration form due.

May 22      5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Race check in and packet pick up at Location TBD.

May 24      Kaluakoi, Molokai.  Race check in for those who missed Oahu packet pick up (pick up race number)

May 25      RACE DAY!

Pule:  9:30 a.m.

Start: 10:30 a.m.

Course Closes:   4:30 p.m. All paddlers must be inside Portlock Point.

DIVISIONS AND AGE CATEGORIES: 

Craft Divisions:  Surfski-1, Surfski-2, OC-1, OC-2

RELAY VS. SOLO:  Only Surfskis can go solo.

  • Solo – Surfski-1 and Surfski-2
    • SS-1. Male and Female (1st, 2nd and 3rd default to open/overall status). Age groups are:
      • Junior (18 and under), 19–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70+
    • SS-2: Male, Female and Mixed. Open only – no age groups.
  • Relay: 2 paddlers (4 paddlers for double crafts) – Age groups based on youngest paddler (except for a team with a junior(s) and adult(s). See “Notes” below).
    • OC-1 and Surfski-1
      • Male and Female: Top 3 default to open.  Juniors (15 & under, and 18 & under), 19-39, 40-59, 60-69, 70+.
      • Mixed: Open class – no age group
    • OC-2 and SS-2
      • OC-2 Male and Female: Top 3 default to open.  Juniors (15 & under, and 18 & under), 19-54, 54 +
      • Surfski-2 Male and Female: Open class only (1st – 3rd). No age groups unless participation warrants.
      • Mixed: Open class – no age groups. (for double crafts must have 2 female paddlers)
  • Open Relay: 3 or more paddlers for single crafts and 5 or more for double crafts.
    • Male and Female divisions only. Any “mixed” teams will classify with the male division. Open class only (1st – 3rd). No age groups.

Notes:

  • Relay Surfski teams are encouraged to find a suitable sized partner, or a ski with easily adjusting foot pedals so that no craft changes are needed. If substitute crafts are used, it is subject to paddlers finding an escort willing to change crafts mid channel.  OC-1 relay teams must use one canoe.
  • All relay teams are entered in the age group of the youngest team member. Hence, youngest paddler determines your category. If Junior and adult paddle together the category is 19-39 (19–54 for OC-2).
  • Surfski solo and Tandem relay teams will default top 3 to open with age group placing starting with 4th

REGISTRATION, ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINES:

There will be a cap of 250 paddlers.

$20 of your entry fee goes to support FRIENDS OF MOLOKAI, a non profit organization that supports the only middle and high school on Molokai. To learn more about Friends of Molokai or to make a donation visit https://friendsofmolokai.com/

Early Registration – Until midnight May 04: $260.00 per adult paddler

Late Registration if space available: $330.00 per adult paddler Registration closes May 18.

JUNIOR DISCOUNT (18 and under) $100.00 Discount code when registering = MOLOJR

Prize Money.  TBD.

Molokai Protocol and Good Neighbor Policy                                                                                                    

* Observe a no wake (less than 5 mph) speed within 500 yards of any shoreline.  There have been several instances of speeding escort boats almost hitting divers.

  1. * No fishing of any type within 500 yards of shore.
  2. * No Opihi picking.
  3. * No harvesting of lobster, it is out of season from May to August.
  4. * No camping on private property or non-designated camping areas, including Make Horse Beach.  The Molokai Police Department will be sending officers to cite unpermitted camping.  There will be a legal, permitted set up at Papohaku Park.
  5. * You must pick up your trash.  It would be a great gesture of good will if you could leave Molokai cleaner than when you got there.
  6. * The Shoreline area will be patrolled 24/7. Any escort boats not in compliance with the rules above will be recorded and will be marked for all future events that start or finish in Molokai.  All Molokai event organizers have agreed to abide by the rules and ban any captains and their boats that do not respect the local protocol. Please kokua!
  7. * SUMMARY = RESPECT MOLOKAI

Escort Boat Information.    

*All athletes/teams are responsible for providing their escort boat information and boating license # or credentials if USCG merchant mariner by Sunday May 18, 2025 in order for your entry to be accepted.

* Escorts must be a minimum of 17 feet

* IT IS MANDATORY that all escort boats check in with lead official on channel 72 before the start of the race. Any   paddler whose boat has not been checked in cannot race and will not be considered part of the event or the responsibility of the event organizers. Water patrol will be on-hand to enforce this rule.

* Escort boats must have at least one spotter in addition to the captain.

* Escort boats must assist any paddler or boat in distress.

* All escort boats must have fixed VHF radios.  No hand held VHF radios allowed.  Escort boats must check in with the head official boat prior to their paddler’s start time.  Primary channel is 72 after the race start.  Escort boats must confirm connection with their paddler on VHF 72.  Back up channel is 71.

* Race officials must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the start of the race of any changes to escort boat information.

* All escort boats must meet current United States Coast Guard Standards as defined by the USCG and must have passed the BOATER SAFETY EDUCATION SAFETY CLASS AND HAVE THEIR BOATER SAFETY EDUCATION CARD ON THEM AT ALL TIMES. *At the end of the race, escort boats must check out with the head official boat on vhf 72 when their paddler reaches Portlock Point and begins the turn into Maunalua Bay.

Things to consider when hiring an escort boat

  • Extra Riders: A helper/Safety Swimmer is helpful. Person must know how to Swim and be Boat Oriented. Rider(s) must be prepared to swim offshore with their gear to Board their Vessel.
  • Transporting race day provisions: To avoid hauling Provisions on the Plane or Swimming it out to the Boat. Make arrangements to have Provisions go to Molokai on Board your Escort Boat.
  • Obtain a Picture of the boat that will be escorting you and meet up with your Boat Captain once in Hawaii to identify what your boat looks like. There will be many Boats offshore at the start and very difficult to identify. You can drop water and provisions to your boat in Oahu or request that your boat load up with water prior to the race. You will be loading your boat from the shore in Molokai so think about this as you plan what you need.
  • At the end of the Race, coordinate with your Escort Boat to collect your personal belongings. This is critical if you do not have a helper on board.
  • Make sure your boat shows up early enough to get your gear on board. JETSKIS AND THRILLCRAFT ARE NOT ALLOWED NEAR SHORE SO DON’T COUNT ON OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET YOU AND YOUR GEAR TO THE BOAT.  PACK ACCORDINGLY.
  • Competitor is responsible to make sure their boat captain understands all these rules and regulations and turns in all appropriate forms.

Safety Precautions

  1. All escort boats must meet current United States Coast Guard Standards as defined by the USCG
  2. It’s best if at least one person in your escort boat is CPR certified and has basic first aid knowledge and equipment.
  3. Make sure the tether to your craft has a quick release Wear brightly colored shorts and a hat.  Carry or wear a personal flotation device.
  4. Carry a Coast Guard approved personal location device on your person.
  5. Have all persons on your escort boat wear personal flotation devices. Inspect your escort boat, make sure it is safe.
  6. Make sure your boat has a bullhorn or megaphone so your boat can communicate with you.
  7. Make sure your boat has binoculars, flares, and other emergency equipment.
  8. Meet with your escort boat captain prior to the race to discuss the race morning loading plan, all safety procedures, race route, where to meet before the race starts so you can get your gear on board, and how to meet after the race starts. Make sure the race number sticker is on both sides of the boat in a clearly visible area.
  9. Make sure you carry your boat captain’s contact info with you at all times on Molokai. This includes, boat description/name, Hawaii phone number, cell phone number, and home phone number and email.
  10. PWCs (personal watercraft ie jetskis) are not allowed on any of the beaches in Hawaii.   Under no circumstances can a PWC beach itself onto any of the Hawaiian shorelines.

Need help finding a surfski or an escort boat to hire?

Go to https://www.kanakaikaika.com/molokai-challenge/escort-boat-and-surfski-hire/ to find a list of available surfskis and escorts.

Boat and Board Transportation options from Oahu to Molokai:                                                                                                                 

Option 1. Make arrangements with your escort boat

Option 2. We will organize transport on another boat or a trailer if your escort cannot take your craft.  Anticipated cost = $220.00.  Email _________________ or   call/text _____________.=

Option 3. Make your own separate arrangements.

Travel to Molokai and ground transportation on Molokai:

Air: Mokulele Airlines at www.mokuleleairlines.com.

Boat: Make arrangements with your escort to catch a ride. There may be boats shuttling paddlers to Molokai on Friday and/or Saturday. Stand by for information on booking passage to Molokai.

Ground Transportation: Email, text or call Dudoit’s Bus at moana@moanasflorist.com, or (808) 336-2016. Or book online with Molokai Outdoors at www.molokaioutdoors.com

Accommodations on Molokai:

*Hotel Molokai – One night option

*Molokai Shores, Kaluakoi Villas, Paniolo Hale and Ke Nani Kai – all 2 night minimum stays. Many of the lodging options can be found on VRBO.

Post Race Prize Giving and Awards Festival: TBD

For questions and additional information, don’t hesitate to contact us at jkfoti@gmail.com.

2025 Sponsors

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