About Ikuna Koa Outrigger
Our History
Ikuna Koa! - "Victory" (Tongan) and "Strength" (Hawaiian) - describes the spirit of our hui wa'a (outrigger canoe club) and reflects the diversity of our membership. Originally founded in 1996, the hui was revitalized in 2000 in the best spirit of Aloha and 'Ohana. Today, it continues to be a source of guidance and support for those who have a passion for the ocean, paddling, and the ancient traditions surrounding the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe.
Ikuna Koa Outrigger Canoe Club is an amateur, not-for-profit athletic club based in San Diego on Mission Bay. We enjoy sharing this sport with those who are Hawaiian ~ and those who are Hawaiian at heart. Our active membership includes men, women, boys and girls who come from all walks of life, have varying levels of experience, and range in age from 5 to 75.
Our Mission is to provide our members with education and skill in paddling and a sense of the ancient cultural traditions and aloha spirit embodied in the sport of Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Racing, to practice with respect and care for our waterways, to expose as many people as possible to the sport, to encourage our 'Ohana (family) to grow – as youth, as recreational paddlers, and as serious racers – to give back to the community by sharing the team building principles of outrigger with charitable organizations and corporations, and to represent San Diego in a positive manner.
We maintain four OC-6s (six-man outrigger canoes) and four OC-1s (one-man outrigger canoes) which are kept at the San Diego San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club, a not-for-profit 501C-7 organization where Ikuna Koa operates under the San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club's Limited Membership (Athletic Association).
We are excited about the upcoming race season (May – September) and expect to do well. Our goal is to participate in all SCORA sanctioned races from San Diego to Santa Barbara, to paddle competitively in Arizona and Nevada, and perhaps race in Hawaii.
Canoes
Ikuna Koa currently maintains four OC-6s (six-man outrigger canoes) and four OC-1s (one-man outrigger canoes) which are kept at the San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club, a private not-for-profit 501C-7 club where Ikuna Koa has operated under the San Diego San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club's Limited Membership (Athletic Association) since 2003.
There are many traditions and customs surrounding the sport of outrigger canoeing. Many of these are based on the Hawaiian tradition of Aloha, respect for one's teammates and equipment, customs of the sport, and safety on and off the water. IKOCC members learn and practice these traditions and take the spirit of respect back into their daily lives.
Introducing our canoes
HALANI – Malia Class – #60
Hālani was purchased in 1992 by Ikuna Koa's predecessor club, Kumulani Outrigger Canoe Club, a mission founded by members of Horizon Christian Fellowship Church. Originally named "Ruach" (the Hebrew word for "breath of the Divine" or "breath of Heaven"), Hālani's name was translated from Hebrew to Hawaiian in 2008. Hālani is our oldest wa'a and, as a Malia, is believed to carry with it ke kalama o ka poe kahiko (the Light of the Ancient Ones).
CALVIN – Bradley Racer Class – #87
Calvin was also purchased by Kumulani Outrigger Canoe Club in the early 90's and was named in honor of Calvin Hirahara who fabricated this wa'a. Calvin was acquired from another canoe club and was transported from Catalina Island to San Diego by Peter Wilson and J.J. Curtis.
'OHANA – Bradley Racer Class – #180
'Ohana was purchased in 2003 from Newport Aquatic Center (NAC) by Ikuna Koa Outrigger Canoe Club members Judith Moore, Steve Levon, Glen & Karen O'Connor, and Peter Wilson. Its previous name or the year it was fabricated is unknown. The name 'Ohana was chosen by team members to represent their close relationships with one another. 'Ohana's hull number – 180 – was assigned by Cheance Adair (Southern California Outrigger Canoe Racing Association Race Committee Chair) to symbolize Ikuna Koa's "turnaround" and the recent growth achieved by the team.
MAHOA – Bradley Lightning Class – #181
Māhoa was purchased by Ikuna Koa Outrigger Canoe Club in the spring of 2006 and is the first brand-new wa'a acquired by Ikuna Koa. Fabricated in Costa Mesa, California, Māhoa was subcontracted by Calvin Hirahara to Wayne of "Gil's Catamarans." Māhoa's hull number was also assigned by Cheance to symbolize Ikuna Koa's continued team growth and transformation. The word Māhoa means "To travel together as canoes" and was selected by the hui from a list of suggested names. Submitted by Roger Partolan, then-president of the Club, the name was inspired by Ikuna Koa's commitment to ensuring that everyone paddles, kāne and wahine paddle together, and no canoes or members are left on the beach.
Holokai – Bradley Class – #182
Holokai joined the Ikuna Koa Outrigger Canoe Club in 2018.
This history is based on the recollection of active and former members, including Gus Cervantes, Peter Wilson and Judith Moore.