Welcome to Lokahi Outrigger Canoe Club
Hui Lokahi O Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe Club
Outrigger paddling has a deep tradition in Long Beach and across Southern California, and we’re here to keep that tradition alive on the water. Whether you’ve been paddling for years or have never picked up a paddle, come join us. We welcome paddlers of every age and ability, with programs for foundational paddling, competitive racing, and keiki (kids). All you need to bring is the desire to learn and the ability to swim — we’ll take care of the rest.
*New paddlers are welcome to join us for up to 3 practices before becoming a dues-paying member.
Curious about paddling?
Come down to Mother’s Beach and join us on the water.
The Hui Lokahi O Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe Club is known as “Lokahi” to locals, members and other clubs. While every club is unique, Lokahi is especially unique to the Orange County and Los Angeles area. Here is what our paddlers say…
I came to the sport as an adult knowing nothing about the history, rules, fitness required, techniques or roles of the outrigger canoe world. I’ve paddled with other clubs in the region and via guest paddling on the various islands of Hawaii. Lokahi best represents the “spirit of aloha”. We work hard, laugh a lot, respect fellow paddlers of all clubs and aren’t afraid to push ourselves to always be better. I look forward to our practices and races. Plus it’s cheaper than a gym membership and I get to be at the beach and ocean 3+ days a week.
– BSD
The Lokahi History
Hui Lokahi O Ke Kai was founded in 1998 and is a member of the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA). We’re a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to perpetuating Hawaiian and Polynesian culture, honoring the aloha spirit, and building community through the sport of outrigger canoeing.
Our diversity is something we’re proud of — and it’s not just words on a website. Our members come from many countries and every walk of life: all ages, singles and couples, lifelong athletes and complete beginners. There’s a seat for novice paddlers, recreational paddlers, and competitive racers alike. Come see for yourself.
You’ll find our canoes and shed at Mother’s Beach on Naples Island in Long Beach, California. From those calm waters we launch our fleet of va’a (canoes) and connect with each other, with the ocean, and with the wider outrigger community.
Founder & Coaches
Founder: Tony Islas
After moving to the mainland from Hawai’i, Tony founded Lokahi in 1998 to keep paddling. He’s been leading the charge ever since.
Coach: Iris Dulay
Always near the water but rarely wet, Iris leads by example and will push you to places you didn’t think you could go.
Spirit of Aloha
We do our best to embody the Spirit of Aloha. The word itself means “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life” — from alo (presence, front, face) and ha (breath). Aloha is a way of living and of treating one another with love and respect. It begins with loving ourselves, and from there it flows outward to everyone we meet.
The old kahunas (priests) taught that living the Spirit of Aloha was a path to self-realization for body and soul. Aloha is energy — given and received. Aloha is harmony. The positive feelings it creates don’t disappear; they linger in the space around us, multiply, and reach others.
“Akahai” Kindness, to be expressed with tenderness;
“Lokahi” Unity, to be expressed with harmony;
“Oluolu” Agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
“Haahaa” Humility, to be expressed with modesty;
“Ahonui” Patience, to be expressed with perseverance.
Programs, Calendar and Schedules
Practice Schedule
RACING SEASON – MID-JANUARY THROUGH MID-SEPTEMBER
Members are expected at every practice. Consistent crews build unity and cohesion that grow stronger as the season goes on. Plan to arrive early so you can warm up and stretch with the rest of us — it’s how we keep our bodies strong and injury-free. Sign up for practice on the Lokahi TeamSnap site or app (returning members are added to the roster as soon as dues are paid). Practice times and dates may shift around race weekends and holidays.
| Day | Group | Arrival | Launch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Long Course Paddlers | 5:45 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Long Course Paddlers | 5:45 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Novice / Short Course Paddlers | 5:45 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | Novice / Short Course Paddlers | 5:45 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Novice / Short Course Paddlers | 7:15 AM | 7:30 AM |
| Saturday | Long Course Paddlers | 9:45 AM | 10:00 AM |
Race Schedule
Racing isn’t required to be a Lokahi member, but we hope you’ll give it a shot — it’s a character-building challenge, and we think you’ll love it. Races run on Saturday mornings in place of our usual endurance practice. As we like to say: “a race isn’t done until the canoes are back at Mother’s Beach and unloaded by the club.”
First-time racers (and anyone needing a refresher) should check out our race cheat sheet.
- Thursday before the race – we meet at Mother’s Beach to derig the canoes and load them onto the trailer along with any gear needed for race day. Many hands make light work.
- Saturday (race day) – arrive at the race site by 5:45am to unload and rig the canoes. Food and drink are pot-luck — members bring pop-tents, mini grills, ice chests, and warm smiles. Racers stay until the canoes are loaded back on the trailer after Lokahi’s final race of the day.
- Sunday (day after race) – we meet back at Mother’s Beach to unload, rig the canoes, and stow the club gear.
SCORA Race Schedule 2026
2026 Races
- Crystal Pier (Hanohano – San Diego) – May 2
- Battle of the Breakwater (Kahakai – Long Beach) – May 9
- Rig Run (Santa Barbara) – May 16
- Kahanamoku Klassic (Marina Del Rey) – June 6
- Ventura Outrigger Challenge (Hokuloa – Ventura) – June 13
- Iron Champs (Kai Elua – San Diego) – June 27
- Whitey Harrison (Dana Point) – August 8
- Paopao (Oceanside) – August 22
- Catalina (SCORA Newport Beach to Catalina) – September 12
- Catalina (SCORA Catalina to Newport Beach) – September 13
POSSIBLE NON-SCORA RACES
(extra costs, race fees, and eligibility apply)
- Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Race – Kona, HI (Labor Day Weekend)
- Another Dam Race – Parker, AZ (early fall)
- Motu2Motu – Cook Islands (December)
Lokahi Gallery of Photos and Videos
Join and Paddle with Us
Sign-Up Process
Membership Fees: OUTRIGGER MEMBERSHIP — $250 • KEIKI MEMBERSHIP — $150
Our season runs from mid-February through mid-December. We offer two membership options: Outrigger Membership and Keiki Membership. The Outrigger Membership is for adult competitive and recreational paddlers; the Keiki Membership is for paddlers nineteen and under. Outrigger members who want to race pay a small per-race fee for SCORA races (9-man race fees are billed separately). Non‑SCORA events may carry their own fees and costs.
What you get with a Lokahi membership:
- More than 90 days of coached paddling (practice and racing) — that’s 90 days of being at the beach and on the ocean. Your co-workers will be jealous.
- Real gains in strength, stamina, and endurance
- Education on the sport, its history, on-water etiquette, and paddling technique
- Access to club paddles, PFDs, and OC6s (six-person canoes)
- Travel to other Southern California beaches for races throughout the season
- Potlucks and team events — trust us, these are a blast: relaxation, laughter, and tall tales
- A real role in carrying forward the tradition and culture of outrigger canoeing
Prepping for Practice
How to prep for your first practice:
- Fill out the form above.
- Wear workout clothes that can get completely wet.
- Bring a reusable water bottle or hydration pack — no glass or metal please. (We’re committed to protecting the beach and ocean, so we keep single-use plastics off the sand.)
- Leave purses and large backpacks at home if you can. We have a locked shed for phones, keys, and footwear during practice. (We paddle barefoot.)
- Bring your own outrigger paddle if you have one. If not, no problem — we have club paddles you can use at no charge. It’s actually a great way to figure out the right size before buying your own.
Get in Touch
Drop us a note and we’ll get back to you soon.