Happy 100th Birthday To Hui Nalu Club

Del.icio.us

Hui Nalu O Hawaii Canoe Club marks its 100th year by launching a new website and holding a 100-mile race around the island on May 24 to commemorate its many members, past and present.

Based at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai, the club has come a long way in a century.“It’s going to be a really exciting year,“said spokes-woman Lianne Cameron.“I think that paddling is just such a big part of island life that we’ll see a lot more new members than we’ve seen in the last few years.”

Hui Nalu paddlers, from keiki to masters, will join the 19-leg race, she said, and each leg is dedicated to a member who made a difference in the club.

The club also will conduct its annual Kaupiko race on July 13 as well as several other events to celebrate the anniversary. (See related photo on page 5.)

Member Ramon Vrielink of RavProductions created the website, noted Cameron.“He came on as a novice paddler, but once Hui Nalu found out what kind of services he provided, we were honored to have him build a website to move the club The website, www.huinalucanoeclub.com, has message boards, a calendar and sign-up details for new members, and it reflects well on the club, according to Cameron.

“One thing that was important for Hui Nalu,” she said, “is that it wasn’t just another website, but that it captured what the club is.” Many of its links, however, aren’t fully operational yet, as it is still a work in progress.

The club was founded in 1908 by Knute Cottrell, Kenneth Winter and Duke Kahanamoku, and it has since grown to more than 350 members. In 2002, it added the Myron Thompson Canoe Halau, which can house up to 24 racing canoes near the group’s practice area at the bay.

For more information, call Cameron at 497-3887, or try out the new website.