Hawaiian canoe clubs, one of the strongest pillars left of Hawaiian culture today, offer both keiki and kupuna an ocean lifestyle focused on ocean knowledge, indigenous tradition and competition. Yet their deeper legacy could be one that ties them to the stewardship of their ahupua’a and an abundant nearshore fishery. Today, these clubs could be leveraged as ‘ohana that take on the critical role as the practioners of lawa’ia pono (fish responsibly)
The State’s Holomua Initiative seeks to restore abundance to nearshore fisheries through community-based management. This effort depends on local knowledge and engagement. Canoe clubs, rooted in ‘ohana from their districts and on the water daily, are natural leaders. Their members already observe changes in the environment and are deeply connected to the health of the ocean and shoreline. All that is missing is to focus on what lives beneath the surface of the water and a desire to make the fishing grounds alive again.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Makai Watch program provides a way forward. By training community members to observe, report, and educate, Makai Watch empowers locals to protect their resources. Canoe clubs, with their organizational strength and cultural standing, are ideally positioned to carry this work forward.
In Kailua, the organization Manu ‘Iwa O Ka Malanai has already shown what this looks like. Working with canoe clubs, they promote the principles of Lawa‘ia Pono — responsible and respectful fishing. By teaching paddlers about spawning cycles, seasonal closures, and harvesting only what is needed, they are blending culture, sport, and stewardship. This model ensures future generations will inherit knowledge passed down from their kupuna and healthy, abundant fisheries.
The vision is clear: canoe clubs as guardians of the shoreline. Paddlers can become educators, observers, and protectors — helping DLNR, strengthening their sense of “place” and building pride in their communities. Whether the Holomua Initiative is charting the course or not, and whether Makai Watch and the DLNR are on board, canoe clubs are where the ocean people come to play, train and raise their keiki in tradition. It’s time for them to take tradition up a notch.
Toby Morris is a paddler, surfer and Kailua waterman
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