Why Ke Kai
Founded in October of 1984, Ke Kai O’Uhane's goal is to establish a cultural, family recreational activity in the Monterey Bay area that would perpetuate Hawaiian outrigger canoe racing and the Hawaiian culture through its activities.

We have crews that compete and have competed in races held within the Northern California Outrigger Canoe Association (NCOCA), Southern California Outrigger Racing Association, formerly Kaliponi Outrigger Association (SCORA), International Va`a Federation (formerly known as the International Polynesian Canoe Federation), the Catalina Challenge, the Liliu’Okalani (Queen’s Race in Kona Hawai`i ) and the Moloka’i Hoe.

Our club encourages all age groups to participate. Our paddlers range in age from 6 to 70. We are proud to have families paddle that include grandparents down to their own grandchildren. It is not uncommon to see 3 generations of one family, participating in Ke Kai O’Uhane activities.

Although our concentration is on sprint regattas that require a variety of techniques in the seat positions, we also have long distance coaches that work with men and women all year long with endurance training for long distance races.

Since the inception of the club, the Board of Directors and members have extended the activities to include instruction in hula. Our Hula Director is Auntie Judy Charles. This activity promotes the mele (song) and dance that helps our members understand the language and history of Hawaii as an alternative learning tool. These haumana (students) ages 3 to 70, and 100 strong, perform at our annual luau.

Ke Kai O’Uhane is financially supported by its membership dues, and two primary fund raisers during the year, our Memorial Day Hoe on Memorial Day weekend, and our annual luau. Our luau is produced and presented solely by the members who prepare, cook, serve the buffet, and provide the entertainment for our 500 guests.