Maui OluKai Hoolaulea

OluKai Premium Footwear has announced its inaugural OluKai Ho'olaule'a Ocean Festival scheduled for May 16th and 17th, 2009 at the Lae 'Ula O Kai Canoe Club at Kahana Beach Park. The purpose of this event is to pay tribute to Maui's ocean culture through tradition, competition, family and giving back to the community.

There will be an eight-mile race along the North Shore from the Maliko Gulch to the Canoe Club at Kahana Beach. This is the famous Maliko "downwinder". The competition begins with an OC-1 race at 11a.m. on Saturday May 16th and will be followed with a stand up paddle race at 12 noon the following day. These elite racers will compete for the prize of $15,000. Elite entry will be $100 and enthusiast entry, $50. Entry includes a race t-shirt and luau dinner. If you would like to enter the competition, visit www.olukai.com or register locally at Neil Pryde Maui.

Other activities to be hosted alongside the competition will be centered around Island culture and the ocean's influence on it. There will be canoe surfing and ancient Hawaiian games hosted by Maui Cultural Lands. Hawaiian Sailing Canoe rides will be hosted by the 2008 HSCA Champions "Team OluKai" in the Kamakakoa.

On Saturday evening, a traditional Hawaiian luau will be held along with hula performances and live music. The luau dinner is included with the race entry fee, but if you are not a competitor, it's $10 for adults and keiki. Part of the proceeds from this Ho'olaule'a Ocean Festival will go to OluKai's 'Ohana Giveback Program. Maui Cultural Lands and the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association's Junior Lifeguard program will be beneficiaries, among others. These organizations will be presented with donations at a special ceremony at the conclusion of the festivities on Sunday evening.

If you appreciate the greener parts of Maui, have a look at our stunning collection of Haiku homes for sale. There are some good buys among the North Shore homes for sale as well. If you need any real estate assistance, please email us at info@jimsandersrealty.com or call (808) 579-8255. Mahalo for reading and have a great weekend!