Race will honor late paddler
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
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He seemed to have a connection with every one. So it's probably appropriate that the entire race will be run in his honor.
More than 50 crews are expected to participate in the first Henry Ayau Men's International Canoe Race on Sunday. The 32-mile course will travel from Maunalua Bay to the Ko Olina Marina.
"Henry touched so many people in the paddling world," race director Walter Guild said. "We felt like this was a proper way to honor him."
Ayau, an expert waterman and longtime paddler for the Outrigger Canoe Club, died in May.
"It will definitely be emotional," said his son, Bruce. "I think everybody will feel his presence out there."
Bruce Ayau will steer for the Kai 'Opua Canoe Club's top crew. They won last year's race — when it was called the Skippy Kamakawiwo'ole Men's International Canoe Race — and are considered one of the favorites this year.
"Everybody's telling me how great it would be to win the first Henry Ayau race, but it doesn't sound right for me to say that," Bruce Ayau said. "Because this race is now named after my dad, I'm more concerned with having fun and making sure everybody has a safe race."
Henry Ayau was a paddler and paddling coach for five decades. He spent most of his years with Outrigger — his crew placed second in the 45-and-older division of the Skippy Kamakawiwo'ole Race last year — but also assisted several other teams on O'ahu, Moloka'i and the Big Island.
One of Sunday's entries is calling itself Team Aloha Ayau Moloka'i Masters. That crew will be comprised of friends of the Ayau family on Moloka'i.
Henry Ayau also helped found the Hui Lanakila Canoe Club, and proceeds from Sunday's race will go to that club.
"He shared so many things with so many different people, from coaching the young guys to paddling with and against the old guys," Bruce Ayau said. "This is going to be a special race for a lot of people."
Guild — a longtime teammate of Ayau's at Outrigger — and Hui Lanakila head coach Leighton Look came up with the idea of naming the race after Henry Ayau.
"I was really flattered," Bruce Ayau said. "As far as the local races, this is one of the big ones, and I know for a fact that he always loved this race."
Eventually, Bruce Ayau would like to see the race turn into a day-long event, complete with post-race refreshments and entertainment. That's how his father would have liked it.
"Paddling is about the camaraderie," Bruce Ayau said. "The racing is great, but when it's all said and done, it's about enjoying each other's company and sharing stories. That's what my dad was best at."
All of the state's top teams are expected to enter. In addition to Kai 'Opua, top contenders include Team New Zealand/Hawai'i, Lanikai, Outrigger, Hui Lanakila, 'Anuenue and Hui Nalu.
It is the last "warm up" race before the Oct. 13 Hinano Moloka'i Hoe, which is considered the world championship of long-distance outrigger canoe paddling.
