More than 50 canoe teams participated in Paddle From the Heart, a tribute to veteran waterman Michael Tongg, on Sunday in Waikiki.

The event drew more than 300 spectators to the race, which was held off the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor.

Tongg, who is battling lung cancer at 63, was there with his family.

One of his sons arranged for a fire boat to spray water before the races started, while everyone sang "Hawai'i Pono'i."

"It was chicken skin," said Jeff Apaka, director of community relations at the Waikiki Community Center.

Tongg, a nonsmoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer five years ago.