Who we are

The Outrigger Canoe Society (OCS) is dedicated to honoring and preserving the rich tapestry of Hawaiian outrigger canoe culture by recognizing those individuals whose contributions resonate deeply within our community. Our mission and kuleana is to celebrate not only the athletic prowess of our inductees, but also their unwavering commitment to Hawaiian values such as mālama,ʻohana, hōihi and lōkahi. Each has shown this through such efforts as nurturing our keiki, mentoring future paddlers, community involvement and contributions and embodying further values and legacies of moʻomeheu, moʻokuʻauhau and hoʻokūʻikahi. Through the establishment of our Hall of Honor, we aim to honor and recognize our inductees for their thoughtful, meaningful and purposeful contributions to all both near and far. The Outrigger Canoe Society also aims to weave together the stories, achievements and contributions of these remarkable individuals, ensuring that their legacies inspire generations to come and strengthen the bonds of our paddling ʻohana.

The ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #1932: “Ku'u ewe, ku'u piko, ku'u iwi, ku'u koko”, refers to the love we have for such people as if they are our own ʻohana. These individuals are an awesome group to be surrounded by. They are indeed ʻohana to all of us and more so amongst the ultimate role models for our Hawaiian Lāhui. There are many more like them and our goal is to celebrate and honor their legacies through this initiative.

Furthermore, the Outrigger Canoe Society is devoted to the thoughtful documentation and digital archiving of the narratives of our inductees along with others that have shared experiences and opportunities to be blessed by these individuals. By sharing their journeys through heartfelt interviews and communal celebrations, we seek to connect the broader community with the profound wisdom and traditions of outrigger canoe paddling. In this way, we strive to anchor our community in its cultural heritage, fostering a spirit of unity, cultural awareness and resilience while empowering future generations to carry forth the cherished legacy of our ancestors.