History of Kanaka Outrigger Canoe Club

Who Are We…?   Kanaka! 

In 2008, six experienced paddlers—many of them also surfers, founded the Kanaka Outrigger Canoe Club. Most had migrated from Ikuna Koa OCC at Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club, which lacked interest in supporting a strong Golden Master (age 55+) racing program. Because these men were not ready to hang up their paddles, they declared their ancient independence and created their own club specifically for older athletes! 

Kanaka owes our existence to these founding members: Dave Ish, Joey Rogers, Mikey Berrill, Clark Matson, Tommy Davis, and Randy Peterson. Mikey and Tommy are remembered with aloha – along with former members John Weir, Leo Esparza and Mariano “Nano” Tano –  as we call out their names echoing beneath the Harbor Drive Bridge each time we paddle out. 

From the beginning, Kanaka was formed as a safe harbor for kupuna paddlers — Kupuna is Hawaiian for “revered elder”. Our founding mission stated in our original BYLAWS focused on “Conditioning, Camaraderie, and Competition” – to which we later added “Community”. 

Originally sponsored by the Oceanside OCC, in 2009, Kanaka became a member of the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association [SCORA] as a 501(c)3 non-profit for “charitable and educational purposes” – initially under SCORA, then independently. As a result any club donations became tax-deductible.  

Our BYLAWS state “Kanaka exists to provide members with education, skill in paddling, and a sense of the cultural traditions and aloha spirit embodied in the sport of Hawaiian outrigger canoe racing.” Both in SCORA, and as a club, we represent Hawaiian tradition. 

As uncle Mikey Berrill once said, Kanaka was created to provide, “…a good workout – the most Aloha of any club… and to not embarrass ourselves at races!” 

“…a good workout – the most Aloha of any club… and to not embarrass ourselves at races!” 

Finding a Home 

At first, Kanaka had little in the way of resources. Canoes were borrowed. There was no site to call home. However, all that changed after Randy Peterson, our founding president, struck up a conversation at the gym, and a nearby stranger who turned out to be a Liberty Station developer / property manager, overheard Randy’s lament.  

He turned to Randy and said, “I just might have a place for you…” 

That “place” turned out to be a sliver of tidal muck alongside the channel, tucked behind Corvette Diner in Liberty Station. Soon the original six founders were joined by other longtime watermen – spending countless hours clearing brush, lifting boulders and rocks, shoveling sand and constructing canoe cradles to finally create a suitable launch site. 

Recognized today as “Kanaka Landing” by Google Maps, the site continues to reflect our 2008 roots as respectful and committed “homesteaders”, and as such we have always strived to be ideal citizens of Liberty Station.

Our Name 

As our first club president, Randy Peterson was familiar with Hawaiian traditions of ohana (family) and the practices of outrigger culture. He spoke of “six-as-one,” highlighting the importance of collective effort. That philosophy applied not only in paddling, but also in working together to foster a healthy community. He knew, understood, and even taught the finer points – such as the way to stand a paddle to maintain its mana. Or that the word, Kanaka is like the word deer. One deer, or many deer. One Kanaka, or many Kanaka.  

The term “Kanaka,” meaning “person” in Hawaiian, embodies Hawaiian identity and is used by the people of Hawaii to refer to themselves. This name had previously been utilized by a surf club in nearby Pacific Beach, and through the efforts of Tommy Davis, permission was obtained to use Kanaka for this new paddling initiative. 

Our Canoes 

Thanks to close ties with the Oceanside OCC and the generosity of Dave Hansen, one of their leaders, Kanaka began paddling with three canoes: Manawa Lea, Kahurangi, and Hoaloaha.  Dave gave the Hoaloha outright to Kanaka, and loaned the other canoes. Because these weren’t racing canoes, in 2009 we raced in borrowed boats.  Later, fundraisers in 2010 and 2011 allowed us to commission Charlie White to custom-build three Bradley canoes: Hiapo O Kanka, Pilialoha, and Kaimana.

Our race-ready fleet.

In 2013, we purchased our Mirage canoe, Naia, and in more recent years we acquired two light-weight Unlimited canoes: Kahaka Kai and Kupuna Kai, aligning with SCORA’s evolving light weight outrigger canoe racing requirements.  

Kanaka also owns an OC-1 and an OC-2. 

Membership 

Kanaka crew ready for a Saturday morning practice, Kanaka Landing.

Our ohana (family) is a close-knit group of friends who paddle together year-round — staying fit, engaged, and connected to like-minded people and the ocean.

Originally created for athletes over 55, Kanaka is now a thriving club of about 40 members, ranging in age from 50 to 80. Today, membership is 70% men and 30% women, with an average age of 69.

Founded in 2008 by a crew of seasoned Watermen, Kanaka later opened its membership to female paddlers, including three pioneering athletes, Amy Steward, Teena Laroux, and Mia Murray – each bringing diverse experience in outrigger racing and other competetive sports. In 2022, after returning home to Point Loma from the Pacific Northwest, veteran paddler and former Columbia River paddle club leader, Dru Butler, also became an integral part of Kanaka’s leadership — serving first as vice president, then filling a presidential vacancy, and subsequently re-elected as club president.

Today, we race and train in mixed crews, as well as all-male and all-female crews, supported by two dedicated coaches and a flexible, inclusive membership.

As one of the few outrigger canoe clubs home-ported on San Diego Bay, Kanaka offers up to five practices a week, year-round, along with active participation in Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA) races and events.

The Traveling Kanakas 

Because Kanaka belongs to the Southern California Racing Association (SCORA), we are required to participate in at least two races annually, most often participating in SCORA’s local Ironman competitions in May and June.

We have visited and raced in all the SCORA venues, including San Diego, Long Beach, Marina del Rey, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Avila Bay.  We’ve also competed in off-season fun races on the Parker strip in Arizona (called ADR for Another Dam Race) in Lake Havasu, and in a Tempe Regatta.  Our most unusual away race was 250 feet below sea level in the Salton Sea!  

The height of outrigger racing is the famous Queen Liliu Kolani race on the big island, Hawaii, at the end of every summer.  This is the world’s longest Iron Man race (only six paddlers per canoe) and goes for 18 miles along Hawaii’s coast.   Kanaka has competed as a club several times in this classic event, and it’s truly the apex of the outrigger canoe experience.   

Culture of Aloha 

Kanaka OCC is built around the Hawaiian values that form the foundation of outrigger paddling. Our culture is guided by the word ALOHA, which means love, respect, and empathy. It also means being there for one another, practicing humility, and giving back to our community.

These values inform how we paddle, how we treat each other, and how we engage with the ocean: 

ALOHA – Love and respect for our environment, our community, and one another 

‘IMI NA‘AUAO – Seek wisdom and education; the pursuit of knowledge is essential

MĀLAMA – Care for and protect each other to become our best as a team

‘IKE PONO – Understand and perceive with intellect and intuition

KULEANA – Embrace our responsibilities to the ocean, canoe, paddle and each other

HO‘OMAU – Persevere and perpetuate our values across generations

HA‘AHA‘A – Maintain humility in all things

LOKAHI – Foster unity, harmony, and shared purpose 

Hiapo Traditional Canoe Blessing Team.

Stories That Bind Us 

Of course, certain Kanaka stories became club favorites. Take, for instance, the time we paddled out in the rain, which soon became hail. We were able to stop the canoes under the Harbor Drive bridge until the downpour let up. Turns out, one paddler saw hail bouncing off Ernie’s head. From there, the story took off and it has been told so often, it seems everyone saw hail bouncing off Earnie’s head, even those seated ahead of him in the canoe. 

Another favorite is how Cap’n Mai Tai got his name. At one of our canoe blessings, he set up an adult libation station serving Mai Tais with three levels of alcohol – Keiki, Novice, and Iron Man. Newer Kanaka are sometimes shocked to find out Mai Tai has another name on his driver’s license. 

These stories reflect who we are: athletes, elders, friends. Each paddle stroke carries not just momentum—but memory, legacy, and the spirit of Aloha. 

Each paddle stroke carries not just momentum—but memory, legacy, and the spirit of Aloha. 

Queen Liliukolan Kanaka Paddlers

Iron Man Medalists

Kanaka Fundraisers at Silver Gate Yacht Club

ADR Race on Colorado River

Hoaloha Blessing Crew