Kai Opua Canoe Club officials  announced today that the 2020 Queen Lili’uokalani Long Distance Canoe Race, named in honor of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch whose birthday is September 2, will be postponed until 2021.

Queen Lili’uokalani Long Distance Canoe Race, hosted by Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club, has been held in every Labor Day weekend in September since its first race in 1971. Last year, the Queen’s Race welcomed paddling crews from Australia, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, French Polynesia and U.S. crews from Nevada, Washington, California, Oregon, Virginia and New York. More than 75 Hawaii crews were also represented on the starting lines of the 18-mile race in Kailua Bay and Honaunau.  The multi-day event also includes shorter races and other activities.

As Hawaii state officials determine social distancing mandates, travel restrictions and other COVID-19 related safety issues and precautions, race officials are exploring the possibility of organizing a smaller modified one-day race to honor the Queen’s birthday in September. Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club race organizers are hopeful that paddlers can safely get back into their 6-man canoes shortly.

Log onto www.qlcanoerace.com for updated race information.