O'ahu paddleboarder Chris Owens will try to become the first person to successfully solo paddleboard across the channels that link the major Hawaiian islands.

Following a successful 76-mile traverse from O'ahu to Kaua'i last August, Owens, 46, now seeks to do more.

"Hundreds of people come up to me and congratulate me on the Kaua'i paddle, and they say, 'What's the next adventure?' " Owens said in a press release.

"So, the primary mission is to keep it going, to conquer all the other major islands that I can go to, and that's why it's labeled 'the next adventure.'

"But I also wanted to benefit a charity while I did it, and that's why we chose Malama Na Pua."

Proceeds will go to Malama Na Pua Traditional Hawaiian Healing Center.

A blessing and send-off ceremony was held in Kona on Thursday after which Owens completed a short practice run.

Owens plans to take off from the Big Island's 'Upolu Point, near the fabled birthplace of King Kamehameha, at 5 a.m. Sunday.

According to the release, Owens knows of no documented traditional paddleboard crossing between Hawai'i and Maui, so he's not exactly sure how long it will take to complete the 45-mile journey across the 'Alenuihaha, which means "great billows smashing."

Owens will alternate between paddling prone and on his knees on his 17-foot, 6-inch carbon-fiberglass board.

From Maui, he'll cross to Lana'i on Tuesday. Upon returning to Maui, his 13-year-old son CJ will join him for a local 9-mile race, and then they'll solo-paddle together 15 miles across the Pailolo Channel to Moloka'i.

The trek culminates in the July 30 Quiksilver Moloka'i to O'ahu paddleboard race, a 32-mile race featuring the world's best paddleboarders.