South side swells of a really decent size have kept us all busy.

Now the wind has dropped and it’s back to some great paddling action on the North Shore.

These conditions should prevail for the next few days so get out your surf board, SUP, canoe or kayak and hit the water.

It’s a wonderful time to be on Maui!

Ho’olaule’a Schedule of Event

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Ho’olaule’a 2012. (PRNewsFoto/OluKai)

OluKai kicks off its 5^th annual Ho’olaule’a on May 11-12 in Maui, Hawaii. This unique ocean festival brings together the world’s best paddlers to race the legendary 8-mile Maliko downwind run for a chance to win the gender equal prize money of $15,000. To celebrate the competition and OluKai’s ’Ohana Giveback partners, this year’s entertainment will bring six of Hawaii’s top musical recording artists on one stage, culminating in a night of island music history.

OluKai’s Ho’olaule’a perfectly blends elite competition with family-friendly and traditional cultural activities. This one-of-a-kind festival gathers communities to enjoy canoe sailing, surfing, ancient Hawaiian games, luau, hula, and live music. As the original footwear brand behind the sport, OluKai is pleased to attract the biggest names in SUP (stand up paddle), OC1 and new for this year, OC2 paddlers. Athletes last year included names like Connor Baxter , Andrea Moller and Travis Grant .

Making music history, the Saturday night concert will include performances by six of the top Hawaiian artists in an authentic backyard style Hawaiian Kanikapila; a style of Hawaiian music produced in an impromptu jam session. Paula Fuga, Kimie Miner, Justin Young , Ekolu Kalama and Hawaii’s hottest female recording artist and longtime OluKai brand partner, Anuhea along with Billboard’s #1 Reggae artist, Mishka will all play their original hits as well as special selections, traditional and modern, in various configurations with each other.

Along with over 2,000 event participants and festivalgoers, this year OluKai will host employees, sales reps and retailers from across the country, introducing them to Hawaiian culture through Ho’olaule’a. “As a company we believe that everyone, no matter where they are, can live Aloha. This event brings together friends and family from all areas of the country giving us the opportunity to share ‘Ohana and honor our giveback partners,” says Kerry Konrady director of marketing at OluKai. “One of the most important roles of ‘Ohana is the passing along of shared history and hard-won wisdom to the next generation. All the organizations participating in our Giveback Program are actively involved in this connection of past and future.”

You will be able to see the action from our cams starting around 1.30pm.

The race is open to paddle disciplines in: Stand-up Paddle, OC1 and Paddleboard.

Open to men and women of all ages.

Race Schedule:
10:00 a.m. – Check-in begins at Maliko Gulch. All racers will be required to complete and sign a race waiver at check-in if they have not done so already.

12:15 a.m. – Mandatory safety briefing and race blessing for all competitors.
1:00 p.m. – First race starts. (staggered water starts in Maliko Gulch)
4:30 pm. = Race awards and prize-draw .

Ohana Festival Schedule and Events:

12:00 p.m. – Keiki Fun begins. Keiki activities provided by Pacific Whale Foundation
2:15 p.m. – First racers expected across the line.
3:00 p.m. – Food provided by Sansei Seafood restaurant and Sushi Bar, Beer Garden sponsored by Maui Brewing Company and live music starts. Food will also be available for purchase by spectators for $10 on the day.
1:00-4:00 p.m. – Silent Auction and lucky number draw, come and bid on some incredible items and help us raise more money for Camp Imua!
4:00 p.m.- The First Annual Imua Dash Fun SUP Relay directly after the main Paddle Imua Race! Sign ups available on paddleimua.com or at Hawaiian Canoe Club on Race Day!

See you there!

Camp Imua, a program of Imua Family Services, brings the community and children with special needs together for a free weeklong, overnight recreational camp each summer. The Camp gives school-age children with “special abilities” opportunities to try new activities and connect with others. It gives volunteers opportunities to connect with the children and to give back to the community. Camp Imua also gives the children’s caregivers much needed time off. Fifty children attend and at least 150 community volunteers and numerous businesses from restaurants, helicopter companies, and live bands make Camp Imua memorable and fun for all. Camp Imua 2013 is scheduled for June 7-14.

Paddle Imua, a Benefit held on May 4, 2013 specifically for Camp Imua, is an exciting annual fund raising event that celebrates the lives of special needs children by embracing our connection to the ocean, which defines our sense of place, “Hawaii’i nei”.

Made possible with title Sponsorship from Bluesmiths Crafted Waterwear, Hawaiian Canoe Club, and support from various athletes, and Maui business, Paddle Imua is a stand up paddle and OC1 discipline, fun, open ocean race. The race spans nearly ten miles of Maui’s beautiful North Shore from Maliko Gulch and finishes at Hawaiian Canoe Club in Kahului, Harbor. Paddle Imua is the premier kick off race and party to Maui’s long distance SUP season. After the race an Ohana Celebration takes place at Hawaiian Canoe Club. Live music, keiki activites, silent auction and a beer garden sponsored by Maui Brewing Company, make the day festive and memorable.

Paddle Imua’s vision is to transform Camp Imua’s 37 historic years here on Maui and create a physical embodiment of the Hawaiian word Imua (‘to move forward’), since the word comes from the water and paddling “Paddle Imua” is meant to help move Camp Imua forward for many years to come. One of the unique aspects of this water competition on Maui is that the competitors will also be given the opportunity to mix and mingle with the special needs children of Camp Imua at the finish of the race and give the kids some water sports exposure and inspiration to live out their dreams.

Proceeds from Paddle Imua directly benefit Camp Imua and cover the cost of nutritious meals, campground rental, transportation, medical supplies and the many activities enjoyed at Camp! Camp Imua is a program of Imua Family Services.

Sevin, Sevin, Sevin!

We love Sevin, you love Sevin….nearly 4000 people on Facebook love Sevin!

So we thought you’d like to see Sevin, if not in the flesh, then on canvas.

In between playing with him on the water Ray has returned to his studio and has been a very productive artist indeed.

So if you’re in Paia town do drop into Café Mambo on Baldwin Avenue and see Ray’s ode to his muse, Sevin. Ray’s original acrylic on canvas paintings cover the walls of this cozy Cafe restaurant and add a splash of color and more than a dash of humor to your tasty meal!

The show, titled Sevin Days, will be up until mid July.

You can also see more of Ray’s art on his website.

It really was an impressive sight.

The weather could not have been better. Beautifully calm and clear ocean. And the perfect strength trade wind kicked in just as they started.

The event kicked off with a beach clean up at Baldwin. Followed by a blessing and group photo session. After arriving at Kanaha the girls were treated to a beach party with great food, drinks and music.

Since launching in 2007, the Butterfly Effect has had 24 events in 10 countries with thousands of women and communities involved. This is the world-wide board sport phenomenon for women.

The small idea has turned into a worldwide movement of promoting women in sports, health, dreams, visions, and environmental awareness.

Sports practiced in The Butterfly Effect events are kitesurfing, windsurfing, stand-up paddle, surfing, kayaking, and snow sports. Each gathering includes safety and stretching sessions, food and gear from sponsors, community give back opportunities, and fundraising.

The Maui Butterfy Effect has become one of the biggest and best events on the island. Congratulations to Tatiana Howard for pulling off the seventh and by far the best BE yet. Brilliant job Tatiana!

Community Beach Clean up at Baldwin Beach
Non-competitive Downwinder for women
Stand Up Paddle ● Canoe ● Kayak ● Paddle Board
Saturday, April 27th, 9am -2pm – EVENT DAY

9am – 10am     Community Beach Clean up (Everyone welcome!)

10am                 Event blessing, warm up, gear preparation, and surprises

11am                  Non-competitive downwinder for women in stand up paddle, paddle board, kayak, canoe, or OC1 begins!

12:30pm           Arrival at Kanaha

1:00 pm            Butterfly Beach Party and ending ceremony filled with music, food, dancing, and more!

7pm                  Butterfly dinner special and dancing at Charley’s in Paia

After a few beautiful days of no wind and Kona (south) winds, today started off with a cold North wind and some rain, but has switched into a beautiful light trade wind day.  Rig up some big sails and head on out.

The past few days of light winds had tons of paddlers on the water.  With lots of paddling events in the upcoming weeks, we watched all kinds of pros training for the races.  OC1, Six man outriggers, and SUP racers were all out training.

The 6 man teams stopped by the beach to regroup and switch up paddlers.

Another awesome flat water paddle day.

Which of course means lots of fun SUP times on the water..at least on the North Shore.

It also means that the planes land in the opposite direction giving us the chance to get some cool shots of Sevin acting as a runway for the new arrivals!

But fear not…the trades will be back soon so enjoy this spell while you can…it could be the last for a while.

Single Dog Kayak

No wind and small waves.

Doesn’t sound exciting…but it is!

Time to get your SUP, canoe or kayak out and have fun.

And don’t forget there is a free 3 mile downwind practice paddle for the Butterfly Effect and Olukai Paddle participants. This is the perfect practice run to make. This Sunday April 21st launching from Pa’ia Bay. Don’t miss out on a great morning!!!

The weather forecast is for several days of light and variable winds over the whole island so get that paddle……Sevin is looking forward to seeing you out there!

FREE Three Mile Stand Up Paddle Downwind Practice Paddle in Preparation for the
5th Annual Olukai Ho’olaule’a Fun Paddle

Sunday April 21st, 2013  9:00am