Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race

View on map
Sports & AdventureKailua-Kona
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceScale is what sets this race apart: rather
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race in Kailua-Kona

The Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race is a multi-day long-distance outrigger canoe competition held every Labor Day weekend in Kailua-Kona, hosted by the Kai Opua Canoe Club, one of Hawaii's oldest paddling clubs, founded in 1929. Billed as the world's largest long-distance outrigger canoe race, it draws crews from Hawaii and abroad for single-hull, double-hull, and one- and two-person canoe events named for Hawaii's last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani.

Outrigger canoe paddling in Hawaii traces back centuries as a practical and ceremonial tradition, with canoes serving as the primary means of travel between islands long before Western contact.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Scale is what sets this race apart: rather than a single race format, it runs a full slate of long-distance divisions, including traditional single-hull crews, double-hull canoes, and individual OC1 and OC2 events, drawing entries from paddling clubs across Hawaii and internationally, which is the basis for its reputation as the world's largest event of its kind

02

The mystery stays covered

It is organized by the Kai Opua Canoe Club, founded in 1929 in Kailua town on the Kona Coast, making the host club itself one of the oldest institutions in Hawaii's outrigger canoe racing tradition

03

The city starts moving

Naming the race for Queen Liliuokalani, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii before its overthrow, ties a modern athletic competition directly to Hawaiian sovereignty and cultural memory rather than treating the name as a simple honorific

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Crews launch and finish along the same Kona coastline that has hosted Kai Opua Canoe Club racing for nearly a century

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a continuity that paddling families in the region treat as part of the event's identity

The sacred route

Living ritual

Long-distance outrigger canoe racing itself descends from the Hawaiian tradition of the canoe

The local code

Living ritual

as essential transportation and a test of endurance and seamanship

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and naming the race for Queen Liliuokalani keeps that lineage explicitly tied to the Hawaiian monarchy she represented

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

For Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race, plan transport around the exact Kailua-Kona venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Athletic, sun-protective clothing suits both paddlers and spectators, including swimwear or athletic wear under a rash guard for anyone on the water and casual, breathable clothing with a...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race, stay near the part of Kailua-Kona you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map19.64 N, 156.00 WOpen in Google Maps

Kailua-Kona, HI

Nearest airportKOA — Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole
TransportFor Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race, plan transport around the exact Kailua-Kona venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race, stay near the part of Kailua-Kona you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Kailua-Kona via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kailua-Kona, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearAthletic, sun-protective clothing suits both paddlers and spectators, including swimwear or athletic wear under a rash guard for anyone on the water and casual, breathable clothing with a hat for those watching from shore; footwear that can get wet is practical near the launch and landing areas.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race?

Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race is listed for August. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race take place?

The festival is listed in Kailua-Kona, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kailua-Kona, HI

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLqlcanoerace.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusOfficial source linked
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