Annual Hā’ena to Hanalei Race to raise money for local canoe club

The Hanalei Canoe Club will host the 43rd Hā’ena to Hanalei Race in June.

The annual fundraiser, which takes place on June 7, for the Hanalei Canoe Club draws thousands of participants each year from across the islands and the mainland.

“This race really kicks off the summer and continues to grow each year,” said Mary Mair, Secretary of the Hanalei Canoe Club. “With the funds that we raise from the race, the Hanalei Canoe Club is able to maintain our canoes, send our youth paddlers to state, and support our robust programs, which are meant to help perpetuate the ancient art of Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe paddling.”

Starting at 5:45 a.m., runners will take to the 8-mile course at the end of the road in Ha’ena at Ke’e Beach, then traverse the scenic stretch of road and one-lane bridges along the breathtaking North Shore ending at the Historic Hanalei Pier. Participants can choose between the 8-mile run or the 8-mile walk from Ha’ena to Hanalei, the 5K Run or the Keiki 1-Mile Run, which both start and end at the Hanalei Pier.

Professional and amateur runners training for the marathon season can choose to run the Half Marathon, which is an out-and-back from Hanalei Pier to Ha’ena, a full 13.1-mile course through paradise.

The Hanalei Canoe Club hosts a pancake breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m. Registered runners and walkers eat free. Awards will be presented at the finish line.

Online registration is currently open and closes at midnight on June 6. Click here to register.

Cost for the one-mile Youth Run (ages 12 and under) is $10.

Race fee for the 8-mile run or walk and 5K Run is $55. The race fee for the half marathon is $80.

Participants can pick up race packets or register for the event on June 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Hanalei Canoe Club. On-site registration will be available on race day starting at 4 a.m.

All affected roadways will close from 5:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The Kaua‘i Police Department will be closing the westbound or Hā’ena-bound lane of Kūhiō Highway from Anae Road in Hanalei to Ke’e Beach.

The eastbound or Hanalei-bound lane of Kūhiō Highway from Ke’e’ Beach to Anae Road will remain open to traffic traveling toward Hanalei. Hanalei-bound drivers leaving Hā’ena and Wainiha are asked to drive with caution.

In Hanalei, Aku at Weke will have alternating traffic and will be closed intermittently between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. Anae at Kūhiō Highway, Mahi Mahi and Malolo at Weke will be closed intermittently to allow runners to pass safely.

Weke Road will be closed from Aku Road to Anae Road, and open to one lane of alternating traffic from Aku Road to Black Pot Beach Park for those going to the pancake breakfast at Hanalei Canoe Club.