Outrigger canoe racing is the State of Hawaii's official team sport, with the roots of outrigger anchored deeply in Hawaiian history. The invention of the canoe was as important to the lifestyle and culture of the ancient Polynesians as the invention of the wheel to ground transportation. King Kamehameha I reportedly employed hundreds of canoe builders to work on the war fleet for his conquest of the Hawaiian Islands.

Canoe racing has been a prevalent activity in Hawaii since Hawaii's pre-contact days. In those early days of canoe racing, a competitor might wager his land, all of his possessions, his wife or even his life on the outcome of a canoe race. While the stakes have changed, a win still carries enormous prestige.

Each team consists of nine paddlers with six in the canoe at one time. Paddlers rotate positions in open-ocean exchanges as the race progresses across the channel. Divisions include koa and non-koa (fiberglass) canoes in both open and masters competition.

The best place to enjoy the race is Duke Kahanamoku Beach, in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where you can watch the finish and, of course, the party atmosphere of the post-race celebrations.