OUR HISTORY

• Keauhou Canoe Club is located at the head of historic Keauhou Bay, whose name is often translated as "a new beginning.” King Kamehameha III was born a few hundred feet south of  Keauhou Bay in 1814 and from 1825 to 1854 became Hawaii’s longest reigning monarch.  Maihi Bay is just south of Keauhou Bay.  It is the place where in 1820, under the direction of King Kamehameha II, the Hawaiians fought the Battle of Kuamo’o.  Over 300 Hawaiians killed in the battle are buried there in the Lekeleke Burial Grounds.  The battle ended  formal recognition of the kapu system of laws, but they still form the basis for many Hawaiian cultural practices.
  
  
  During the days of the Hawaiian Kingdom, much of the area in the vicinity of Keauhou Bay was used as a site for ali’i  sport and recreation, from the mile-long sled course (“hōlualoa”) leading down to Heʻeia Bay, and the big water surf break fronting the bay.  The hōlualoa  can still be seen from the water while paddling a canoe and experienced surfers can catch the waves of He’eia Bay.  Keauhou Canoe Club continues these water-related traditions, along with members of the surrounding community, who use Keauhou Bay for swimming, fishing, and other sport and recreational activities.  
  
  
  Keauhou Canoe Club was founded in September 1980.
  
  Name Changes
  The club was founded as Honokōhau Canoe Club. The name was changed in July of 1981, to Kauikeaouli Canoe Club, to honor the birthname of Kamehameha III. The final name change, to Keauhou Canoe Club, became effective May 31, 1988.. 
   
  Founders
  The founding Officers and Directors were  Rex (Stan) Dzura, President; Jack Urbach, Vice President; Edward Azura,  Treasurer; Pilipo Springer, Secretary; Mary Jane Kahanamoku, Race Coordinator; and Directors Frank "Skipper" Kent, Herb Kane, Kelly Greenwell, Jim Higgins, Dr. Edgar Hauntz, Louis K. Kahanamoku, and Sam A. Kahanamoku.
  
  
  Purpose
  Right from the start, Keauhou Canoe Club was strongly committed to:
  • Promoting and instructing club members in Hawaiian and Polynesian culture through canoing and other related activities.
  • Encouraging participation in civic and community activities.
  • Promoting competitive inter-club, inter-island, and international Hawaiian outrigger racing.
  • Fostering and encouraging interest in the sport and scince of canoe racing and canoing throughout the entire State of Hawaii.
  • In addition, Keauhou has had a strong commitment to engage with and provide activities for the youth of Kona, to develop character and help develop good citizens.
    
    From the original articles of incorporation:
  
  The club's mission statement has evolved, and now more directly says that the club's mission is to “educate our youth, our membership, and the community at large about Hawaiian culture, values, and traditions.” 
  
  
  Integrating with Hawaiian Culture
  Keauhou has a Hawai division devoted to learning, educating, and integrating Hawaiian culture into Keauhou activities.  The club works to understand the cultural significance of Hawaiian cultural practices, such as lei, hula, chants, and oli (chants without dance), and works with our community to connect members with Hawaiian cultural practitioners, and to support Hawaiian culture.