2023 REGISTRATION QUESTIONS

Note: Online Registration will open soon – sign up to be notified when registration opens.

When is the race?
This year’s race date is September 16, 2023. More details about the race can be viewed

What is the race cancellation policy?

Full refunds will be given up to 30 days before race day: August 16, 2023, minus a $25 Cancellation Fee. Please note: No refunds will be given if your request is received after midnight August 16th.

It is our goal to hold the event barring any unforeseen/extreme circumstances that would put the safety of participants at risk. The Pailolo Challenge race committee will make an assertive effort to maintain events as scheduled, however courses and schedules may be modified based on conditions arising from adverse weather, natural disaster and/or Acts of God. If the course has to be changed or the race cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, please note there are no refunds, transfers, or rollovers.

Can we register now and update registration information later?

You can change the names of your paddlers, division and boat information up to Sunday, Sep 9, 2023 midnight.

When are the forms due?

All crew information -online and paper forms and payments are due no later than Sunday, Sep 9, 2023, midnight. This means ALL forms, HCRA cards, honorary paddler forms and all waivers, escort forms, escort insurance, vessel check list.

Here’s a handy Check list

PDF LINK HERE: 2019-Pailolo-REGISTRATION-CHECK-LIST

Where can I find the race forms?

Please see race forms here.

How can I pay the crew’s entry fee*?

Please note Entry fee is paid at the time you complete online registration. Any remaining balance can be paid at one of the the mandatory scheduled race week Crew Check-Ins, please note payment must be submitted in full absolutely no later than Friday, Sep 15, 2023, 11:00am-3pm Kahana Gateway Plaza.

*The crew entry fee covers your participation in the Pailolo Challenge only. Note that any additional payments such as return Ferry RSVP/payment and Boat towing between shipping facilities and the beach are separate based on your crew’s needs, these can be arranged online and require payment at the time arrangements are made.

Can I mail in a check for our entry fee?

No – entry fees must be paid online. Email [email protected] with any questions

Entry fees are $700 per entry + $35 per paddler over 6 paddlers.

INSURANCE

We are Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association members, do we need insurance?

No, all HCRA members are covered by HCRA insurance but all paddlers must be valid in HCRA in order to race.

We are out-of-state paddlers, do we need insurance?

Yes, you can provide a certificate of insurance with the following requirements:

  1. All non-participants/non-members of HCRA, an out of state or foreign team will be charged an insurance assessment at registration. Out of state and foreign teams must provide a Certificate of Insurance for Commercial General Liability/Participants Liability with minimum limits of $1,000,000 (US Dollars) for the race.
  2. The Certificate must name the following additional insured’s:
    a) Hawaiian Kamalii, Inc dba Hawaiian Canoe Club,
    b) Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association, and
    c) Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association.
    3. Coverage must be current and cover the duration of the event.

We are not HCRA members and don’t have our own insurance, How can we be covered?

You can become honorary HCRA members for $40 per paddler. You will need to complete an HCRA waiver, fill out an HCRA-Honorary-Paddler-Form, pay the $40 coverage and provide a valid license or passport.

CANOE & ESCORT QUESTIONS

We are an out-of-state crew, how do we secure a canoe?

Specify that you need help on your registration. We will do as best as we can to help you secure a canoe rental. The chances of getting a Bradley Lightning or Unlimited canoe are slim. We suggest you contact crews going to Na Wahine or Moloka’i Hoe who are NOT doing the Pailolo Challenge. They need their canoe on Moloka’i. Your crew pays for shipping to Maui and you paddle it to Moloka’i. Although we will provide assistance to secure canoes, the race committee is NOT responsible for securing canoes.

We are shipping our canoe to Maui, how do we get it to the race start?

We will take care of that for you! Please be sure to arrange and pay for this service online. See the “Accommodations Page” on our site. The Towing arrangements page is located here. Please ship your canoe to Ka’ili Moikeha (contact information below). Please pre-pay for shipping. We are not able to pick up canoes that are not paid for. When your canoe arrives on Maui, the shipper Young Brothers will call us and we will pick up and store your canoe at Hawaiian Canoe Club’s property at Kahului Harbor until race day. All shipped canoes will the towed to the start of the race (D.T. Fleming Beach) by Friday, Sept 15, 2023.

Who do we ship our canoe to?

Ka’ili Moikeha, Hawaiian Canoe Club, Pailolo Challenge (808) 630-3831.
**Your bill of lading (BOL) must identify your canoe name and crew team name
**You must pre-pay for shipping. We are unable to pick up canoes that are shipped COD (Collect-On-Delivery).
**Special Note: PLEASE SHIP ON CARPET. All canoes shipped on tires will be charged a $50 disposal fee**

When does our canoe need to arrive on Maui if we are shipping it?

Your canoe needs to arrive on Maui no later than September 13, 2023 so that we can coordinate a pickup from Young Brothers to make it on time for race day. Please note if your canoe arrives after this day we are not able to get it transported to the race start for you.

We will be doing Na Wahine O Ke Kai or Moloka’i Hoe, how will our canoe get to Hale O Lono?

At the time of registration please specify your post-race canoe destination on your forms. We will give you a sticker to put on the canoe, NW for canoes going to Na Wahine, or MH for canoes going to Moloka’i Hoe. At the race finish there will be designated areas for both races, just make sure to follow the signs and place your canoe in the correct area. From Kaunakakai, your canoe will be towed to Hale O Lono prior to the following races.

How does our canoe get home after Pailolo if it is NOT getting used for Na Wahine O Ke Kai or Moloka’i Hoe?

At the time of registration please specify where your canoe needs to be shipped after the race and we will ship it back to you COD.

Can you help us find an escort for the race?

Unfortunately we no longer offer assistance with finding escort boats and drivers. We recommend asking around and getting an escort boat and captain secured early.

CREW QUESTIONS

Do we have to race the specified number of paddlers for our division?

You can paddle with less paddlers if the need arises but know that you will likely be racing against crews that have the specified number of paddlers

How many people can be on my Relay Mixed Open crew?

All of the MIXED masters and open crews are allowed a minimum of 9 paddlers and a maximum of 12 paddlers. Please note Mixed Crews must consist of at least 50% women. Teams can choose to paddle with as few as 9 or as many as 12 on their crew. For a 9 or 10 person crew, you must have at least 5 women, for an 11 or 12 person crew, you must have at least 6 women.

For Mixed Crews, do we have to have at least three women paddling at all times?

Mixed crews can field any combination of paddlers during the race as long as the team consists of at least 50% women.

Does our crew need to all wear the same jersey?

It is not required, but it is helpful for your boat Captain and crew to identify each other with so many other paddlers participating in the race.

What if I have a question?

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, PLEASE ASK!! email: [email protected] or use the Contact Form

IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS

Here is a handy Timeline of Race Week 2023.

  • Friday, 9/1/23: Midnight:
    Online Registration and All Escort boat documentation due for all crews!
    Registration: GOOGLE LINK
    Escort Information and documentation located on this site (Forms page) and submitted no later than this deadline via email: [email protected]
  • Wednesday, 9/13/23, 3-5pm
    CREW CHECK IN for HCC and International Crews (if already arrived).
    Turn in any outstanding documents & payment balances.
    Pick up swag bags and race shirts.
    Pre-Sales of Logo Wear.
    At Hawaiian Canoe Club (Hoaloha Park in Kahului)
    NOTE: This is last day for Young Brothers to pick up any Canoes that were shipped to Maui for race start.
  • Thursday, 9/14/23, 4-6pm
    CREW CHECK IN for all Maui Crews.
    Turn in any outstanding documents & payment balances.
    Pick up swag bags & race shirts.
    Pre-Sales of Logo Wear.
    At Hawaiian Canoe Club (Hoaloha Park in Kahului)
  • Friday, 9/15/23
    • 9am-3pm
      Pailolo Logo Wear Sales
      At DT Fleming Park (Mile Marker 31.1; Hwy 30 aka Honoapiilani Hwy. Turn on Lower Honoapiilani Rd. to parking at end)
    • 11am-3pm
      CREW CHECK IN for all crews.
      Turn in any outstanding documents & payment balances. Pick up swag bags and race shirts.
      DT Fleming Beach @ 11a-3p
    • 5:00 pm
      COACHES MEETING. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS MANDATORY.
      All crews must have at least ONE steersman or coach present. Attendance is mandatory.
      If a crew is not represented, their entry will be forfeited without refund.
      BOAT# and post race destination STICKERS
      At DT Fleming Park (Mile Marker 31.1; Hwy 30 aka Honoapiilani Hwy. Turn on Lower Honoapiilani Rd. to parking at end)
  • Saturday, 9/16/23:
    RACE DAY: ALL CREWS at DT Fleming Park
    (Mile Marker 31.1; Hwy 30 aka Honoapiilani Hwy. Turn on Lower Honoapiilani Rd. to parking at end)

    • 6:30-7:30am
      Final CANOE rigging
    • 7:00am
      FINAL RACE BRIEFING AND PULE (blessing)
    • 8:30am
      1st RACE START: Women & Mixed Crews
    • 9:00am
      2nd RACE START: Men Crews.

There will be a 10 MINUTE PENALTY for not starting in your designated start time.
There will be a 20 MINUTE PENALTY added to crews’ final time to those OVER THE LINE at the Start.

ACCOMMODATION QUESTIONS

Are there special rates for paddlers staying on Maui?

We have NO special racer rates or specials this year for any accommodations/hotels (Maui and Molokai). We apologize for any miscommunication.

Where can I book the ferry back to Maui after the race?

A chartered ferry is not available this year. We encourage you to return to Maui on your escort boat.

RACE DAY QUESTIONS

We are an iron crew without an escort. How does our luggage get from Maui to Moloka’i?

Iron crews are required to have an escort boat – all luggage and equipment for iron crews is the responsibility of the crew.

Is there a shuttle available from our hotel to the race start on Maui?

We recommend coordinating a taxi or ride share to drop you off at the race start as parking is VERY limited at Flemings. We have listed some taxi and shuttle options HERE.

Is there a shuttle from the race finish to where the ferry leaves?

Yes, a free shuttle to the pier will be available. It is about a 1/4-mile walk if you prefer.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT ANYTIME EMAIL: [email protected]

REGISTRATION

Online Registration will open soon – sign up <here> to be notified when registration opens.

What you should know before registering:

  • All crews must register online.
  • Payment of entry fee is required to secure registration.
  • Entry fees must be paid online.
  • Hawaiian Canoe Club teams: please contact the HCC office Prior to registering.

If you are not ready to pay, please STOP here.

  • Entry Fees: Entry: $700
  • Towing Options: $80 Maui – $60 Molokai
  • Once we reach our maximum of 80 crews we will close registration – NO EXCEPTIONS. Maximum of 25 Iron Crews.

Information needed for Crew Registration
(you may modify these after registering if you need to make changes):

  • Canoe Class (Unlimited/Hawaiian)
  • Crew Division (Male/Female/Mixed/Iron/Relay/Age)

Information NOT needed for Online Crew Registration (but due no later than Sun, 9/1/2023):

  • Paddler Names
  • Canoe name
  • Escort
  • Waivers

Crew Check In (mandatory): Friday, September 15, 11:00 am-3:00 pm 11a-3p @ DT Fleming Beach.

THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL, you MUST check in and submit any outstanding paperwork.

Please note: There is NO Registration on this day, crews must be done in advance and completed online.

(See this handy Timeline of Race Week 2023 for alternate Check In dates on Wednesday & Thursday)

Coaches Meeting (mandatory): Friday, September 15, 5:00 pm (DT Fleming Beach Park -race start location).

THIS IS MANDATORY. All crews must have at least ONE steersman or coach present. Attendance is mandatory. If a crew is not represented, their entry will be forfeited without refund.
-Boat Stickers issued (boat# & post-race destination)