KIRA Race #11 – Maui Jim Molokai Challenge

24 May

KIRA Race #11 – Maui Jim Molokai Challenge

KIRA Race #11 – Maui Jim Molokai Challenge
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PRESENTS THE 45th ANNUAL

maui_jim_molokai_challenge

We hope to have a new date in a few months
Maui Jim Molokai Challenge will NOT take place on May 24, 2020.

Aloha,

As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world into isolation and travel bans in place everywhere, we have to cancel the May 24 date for the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge 2020. We all share the same heavy heart, but know this is necessary as the world is working together to curb to spread of the virus.

However, with diligence on our parts, perhaps the next few months will show progress and we can re-schedule the Molokai Challenge for a date in the late summer or fall. We will put out another notification when any more concrete information arises in regards to a potential new 2020 date. In the meantime, be sure to mark your calendars for May 30, 2021 for next year. Also, check our website for Virtual racing opportunities.

Everyone stay well and do your best to stay on the water!

Mahalo,
Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association

Click Here to view 2020 Escort Boat Information and Waiver.

Course: Molokai to Oahu. 32 miles (53 km) across the Ka’iwi channel.

START: Kaluakoi Beach on the west end of Molokai

FINISH: Kona Brew Pub Koko Brew Pub in Koko Marina Center, Hawaii Kai, Oahu.

Date: Sunday May 24, 2020

TIMELINE:

April 29 12:00 midnight, early registration ends, late registration fee imposed.
May 13 12:00 midnight, Registration closes. Escort boat waiver and registration form due.
May 21 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Kona Brewing Co.’s Koko Brew Pub  in Koko Marina Shopping Center, Hawaii Kai: Race check in and packet pick up. You will receive all the information you need to race.
May 23 Kaluakoi, Molokai. Race check in for those who missed Kona Brew Pub packet pick up (pick up race number) will be in Cottage 2A, which is on the north side of the pool area, fronting the path that runs along the coast. Call Jim at 808 927-0711 if you can’t find the cottage. You will NOT receive your shirt and other goodies on Molokai, however, you can pick them up at the end of the race at Kona Brewing Co.’s Koko Brew Pub or at the Awards Banquet at the Ala Wai Golf Course.
May 24 RACE DAY!

Pule: 8:30 a.m. Dennis Sallas beach sermon

Start #1: 8:45 a.m. SUP and Prone.

Start #2: 9:30 a.m. Female, male 60+ and mixed surfski & OC paddlers.

Start #3: 10:00 a.m. All other male surfski & OC paddlers.

Course Closes: 4:30 p.m. Paddlers must be around Portlock Point and inside China Wall or they will have to pull their craft off the water.

Awards Banquet: 6:30 p.m. At Ala Wai Golf Course. Paddlers receive a complimentary buffet meal and 2 complimentary Kona Beers. Guests are welcome to come and may purchase meal tickets in advance for $30.00. There will be a no host bar.

DURING AND POST RACE:

At Kona Brewing Co.’s Koko Brew Pub in Koko Marina Center: Spectators are welcome to patronize the Brew Pub and watch the finish of the race comfortably from the restaurant. After the paddlers have finished the race, there will be a light buffet available for the paddlers inside Kona Brew Pub.

OVERFLOW PARKING FOR KOKO MARINA: Additional parking will be available across the street at Koko Head Elementary. ANYONE WITH CANOES OR SURFSKIS ON THEIR VEHICLE ROOFTOPS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PARKING AT KOKO MARINA CENTER. Please help enforce this requirement from the center.

DIVISIONS:

SOLO and RELAY: Relay is one division only, but can have 2 or 3 person teams for single seated crafts and 3–6 person teams for double seated crafts. There is not a different division for varying number of team members.

OC-6 or OC-3: Contact race director at jkfoti@gmail.com.

Craft Divisions: Surfski-1, Surfski-2, Prone Paddleboard, SUP, V-1, OC-1, OC-2, OC-3, OC-6

  • Surfski-1, OC-1:
    • Solo – Male and Female:
      • Junior (18 and under), 19 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 56, 57 – 63, 64+
      • HAWAII RESIDENT: There will be a division and award for the top SS-1 Hawaii resident paddler
    • Relay: 2 or 3 paddlers per team.
      • Male and Female: Open = 1st–3rd, Juniors, 19-45, 46-59, 60+.
      • Mixed: Open
  • V-1:
    • Solo – Male and Female: Open
    • Relay – Open (Male, Female or Mixed)
  •   Surfski-2, OC-2:
    • Solo
      • Male and Female: Open
      • Mixed: Open
    • Relay: 3 – 6 paddlers per team.
      • Male and Female: Junior, Open.
      • Mixed: Open
  • SUP (participation pending will add board size divisions):
    • Solo – Male and Female
      • Unlimited – Any board size: Open
    • Relay: 2 or 3 person teams: Male, Female and Mixed.
      • Unlimited: Open
  • Prone (participation pending will add board size divisions):
    • Solo – Male and Female
      • Unlimited: Open
    • Relay: 2 or 3 person teams: Male, Female and Mixed
      • Unlimited: Open
  • OC-3 and OC-6. Contact race director for more information.

Notes:

  • Mixed divisions can have only 1 male paddler per single seat craft relay teams and no more than 2 male paddlers per double seat craft relay teams (for a 3 person team only 1 male). 2 males + 1 female will be counted as an “Open” crew and race vs. the men.
  • SUP relay divisions will include a 14’ class if there is substantial participation.
  • 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. And, if substitute crafts are used, relief paddler must be facing towards Molokai and dismounted when his or her partner paddles up for the switch.  OC-1 relay teams must use one canoe.
  • OC-1 and Surfski solo: Top 5 will be recognized as open with age group beginning at 6th
  • SUP and Prone solo: If there is a resounding amount of entries, we’ll open up another board class and/or age group divisions, with top 3 overall being recognized as open, and age groups per board division beginning at 4th
  • All relay teams are entered in the age group of the youngest team member. Hence, youngest paddler determines your category.
  • Relay teams in all disciplines will default top 3 to open with age group placing starting with 4th

Start Times:

Start #1: 8:45 a.m. SUP and Prone

Start #2: 9:30 a.m. Female, male 60+ and mixed surfski & OC paddlers

Start #3: 10:00 a.m. All other male paddlers

Course Closes at 4:30 pm. If you are not inside of Portlock Point by 4:00 p.m., you must pack your craft on your escort and ride in. If you continue paddling without authorization by the officials you will be disqualified. This is a safety precaution as we need to be certain all persons are safely accounted for on Oahu well before dark in the event of an emergency.

Registration:

www.flpregister.com Closes May 13 at midnight

Entry Fee and deadlines:

  • Solo entries
    • Before April 30:
      • $200.00 per adult paddler
      • $100.00 per junior (18 and under).
    • From April 30–May 13:
      • $260.00 per adult paddler
      • $160.00 per junior (18 and under).
  • Relay entries
    • Before April 30:
      • $200.00 per adult paddler
      • $100.00 per junior (18 and under).
    • From April 30–May 13:
      • $260.00 per adult paddler
      • $160.00 per junior (18 and under)

Prize Money. 

TBD: For Surfski and OC-1 Solo category only.

Pre-race packet pick up and escort boat captain’s information:

Thursday May 21st 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Kona Brewing Co.’s Koko Brew Pub in Koko Marina Center, Hawaii Kai. Plan to stay for a few beers and some dinner.

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.

* No fishing of any type within 500 yards of shore.

* No Opihi picking.

* No harvesting of lobster, it is out of season from May to August.

* 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.

* 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.

* The Shoreline area will be patrolled 24/7. Any escort boats on 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!

* SUMMARY = RESPECT MOLOKAI

Escort Boat Information.

ESCORT BOATS ARE NOT PERMITTED UNDER THE BRIDGE AND INSIDE THE MARINA.

  • THERE WILL BE A WATER SHUTTLE going to and from the boat ramp and Koko Marina to shuttle people and stuff back and forth as needed.
  • Each paddler or team entry must have an escort boat. GET YOUR ESCORT BOAT LINED UP EARLY.  EXPECT TO PAY $800.00 +, plus cost of transporting craft to Molokai.
  • All competitors will be REQUIRED to send in a boat waiver in order for their entry to be confirmed – Please CLICK HERE for boat waiver and submit no later than May 13, 2020.  
  • If you need assistance hiring an escort, email Jim at jkfoti@gmail.com.

Escort Boat Requirements:

ESCORT BOATS ARE NOT PERMITTED UNDER THE BRIDGE AND INSIDE THE MARINA.                

*All athletes/teams are responsible for providing their escort boat information and boating license # or credentials if USCG merchant mariner by Thursday May 13, 2020 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 as 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

  1. Extra Riders: A helper/Safety Swimmer is helpful. Person must know how to Swim and be Boat Oriented. Rider(s) must Swim Offshore to Board Vessel. Major concern is Liability for extra Passengers on Board. If boat is Big enough to carry extra Passenger an additional Fee may be required.
  2. Transporting race day provision’s: 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..
  3. 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.
  4. At the end of the Race, coordinate with your Escort Boat to collect your personal belongings as the boats will not be allowed to enter the Marina. This is critical if you do not have a helper on board. There will be a water shuttle going to and from the boat ramp and Koko Marina to shuttle people and stuff back and forth as needed.
  5. 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 YOUR GEAR TO THE BOAT.  PACK ACCORDINGLY.
  6. Competitor is responsible to make sure their boat captain understands all these rules and regulations and turns in all appropriate forms.

Safety Precautions

  • All escort boats must meet current United States Coast Guard Standards as defined by the USCG
  • Make sure at least one person in your escort boat is CPR certified and has basic first aid knowledge and equipment.
  • 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.
  • Carry a Coast Guard approved personal location device on your person.
  • Have all persons on your escort boat wear personal flotation devices. Inspect your escort boat, make sure it is safe.
  • Make sure your boat has a bullhorn or megaphone so your boat can communicate with you.
  • Make sure your boat has binoculars, flares, and other emergency equipment.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Some surfski rental options:

Some OC-1 rental options:

Boat and Board Transportation from Oahu to Molokai:

You have three options to transport your craft to Molokai (from Oahu):

  1. Send it up on your escort boat. Check with your captain about this.
  2. Send it by barge.
  3. Send it by boat.

Option 2 – Barge transport: Details TBD
Option 3 – Boat transport: Details TBD

Please make your reservation through the following link: TBD

Or contact TBD with any questions

Recommended accommodations (on Oahu):  TBD

Travel to Molokai:

  1. You can go up on your escort boat
  2. Book your commercial flights at:
    1. makanikaiair.com
    2. hawaiianairlines.com
    3. mokuleleairlines.com
    4. https://molokai-vacation-rental.net/extras.php
      1. Molokai Vacation Rentals has a relationship with Mokulele air, Molokai Outdoors and Alamo rent a car. They can coordinate everything on Molokai including your trip from Oahu.
  3. Outside travel agent arrangements

On Molokai:

  • Lodging – Molokai Vacation Properties can offer a wide variety of options: Visit molokai-vacation-rental.com. Email Dayna at dayna@molokaivacationproperties.com, call toll free: 800 367 2984, local: 808 553 8334 or fax: 808 553 8332.
    • Alternatively look up Hotel Molokai or VRBO, AirBnB Kaluakoi Resort at Kepuhi beach, etc…
  • Ground transportation from the airport to your hotel, house or condo – Molokai Outdoors can arrange transportation to and from anywhere on the island at any time. Plus Molokai Outdoors offers a wide variety of activities if you plan to come to Molokai early in the week (advisable).  Visit: https://www.hawaiifun.org/Molokai+Outdoors/Special+Events+and+Races.shtml , email Clare at claresmawae@gmail.com, call toll free: 1-877-553-4477 or fax: 808 553-3000.
    • Alternatively you can call Midnight Taxi as well to book transportation at 808 658-1410

Full packages:

If you don’t want to manage all the logistics yourself; WE PADDLE AUSTRALIA can take care of everything:  Airfare to Hawaii and to Molokai, hotels and ground transportation on Oahu and Molokai, escort boat hire, ski hire, nutrition, training program if desired and more. WE PADDLE AUSTRALIA will also be organizing downwind paddles on Oahu the week prior to the race Visit:  http://www.wepaddle.com.au/index.php?pr=We_Paddle_Travel_Packages or email info@wepaddle.com.au for more information.

POST RACE AWARDS PRESENTATION will be at the Ala Wai Golf Course Restaurant. 404 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

OVERFLOW PARKING FOR KOKO MARINA:  Additional parking will be available across the street at Koko Head Elementary. ANYONE WITH CANOES OR SURFSKIS ON THEIR VEHICLE ROOFTOPS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PARKING AT KOKO MARINA CENTER.  There is alternative parking at the elementary school or at Hawaii Kai boat ramp.

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

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