Our Kanu: Hahalua Nani Loa

Photo by Jonica Hall.

The Hahalua Nani Loa is another Lightning model of canoe. Introduced in early 2000, this model of canoe has won multiple, and record-breaking races in the Moloka’i Hoe, an interisland race, between Moloka’i and Oahu, that crosses one of the most treacherous channels in the world – the Kaiwi (translation: “The Bones”) Channel. Yup – it’s that dangerous.

This model of Lightning canoe is slightly evolved from the earlier models of canoe (see the Amelika Uiloa – a Striker canoe – post), with a rest/holder for the stroker’s paddle and a sleeker, more aquadynamic hull. Either way, it’s a great canoe that’s responsive and trustworthy, and a joy to take out under any conditions.

In accordance with our club’s philosophy on naming our canoe after local ocean critters, the translation of Hahalua Nani Loa is “Big, Beautiful Manta Ray.”