March 26 marks Prince Kūhiō Day across Hawaii — a celebration of the “Citizen Prince” and the nation he served. Along the shoreline, that spirit of community is captured in the familiar sound of paddles dipping into the sea. Female First’s travel and culture writer Dorimalia Waiau explains why canoe racing is still an honoured tradition across the islands.
An outrigger canoe crew paddles in rhythm along Hawaii’s coastline to celebrate Prince Kūhiō Day. Credit: Paul Buijs/Pexels
Late March can feel a bit unsettled. Winter has mostly passed, but spring still seems to be taking its time. Days are getting longer, yet the weather can’t quite make up its mind.
Across Hawaii, this time of year brings a different kind of energy. On March 26, people celebrate Prince Kūhiō Day — a state holiday honouring Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole, often called the “Citizen Prince”.
Born into Hawaiian royalty in 1871, Kūhiō later became Hawaii’s delegate to the United States Congress. He spent years working to protect land and rights for Native Hawaiians, and he remains widely respected today.
There are official ceremonies across the islands, but for many families the day is also linked to something simpler: time spent on the water.
In coastal communities, canoe clubs often organise regattas — friendly races where teams paddle along the shoreline while friends and family watch from the beach. If you arrive early in the morning, you may hear the boats before you see them.
An outrigger canoe, known in Hawaiian as a waʻa, moves differently from most boats. The long, narrow canoe sits low on the water and is balanced by a floating support arm called an ama.
Six paddlers sit in a line while a steersperson at the back guides the canoe.
The sound of the paddles is easy to recognise. Blades dip into the water together, then the paddle lifts and taps lightly against the wooden side of the canoe before the next stroke.
From the beach, the pattern travels clearly across the water. If one paddler falls out of rhythm, the canoe slows down. When everyone moves together, the canoe moves quickly across the water.
Prince Kūhiō believed strongly in communities working together. Canoe paddling shows that idea in a very practical way. Every person in the boat helps move it forward.
Regatta mornings usually start quietly. Canoes lie on the sand in neat rows while club members check the ropes that hold the ama in place. Children run along the beach carrying small paddles borrowed from older siblings. Experienced crews stretch and talk about the race course.
Then the teams lift the canoe onto their shoulders and jog into the surf.
When the race begins, paddles hit the water and the boats surge forward. Spectators watch from the beach, following the crews as they settle into their pace.
Families sit under beach tents while friends “talk story” — a local phrase meaning relaxed conversation. Sliced pineapple and homemade snacks are passed around from coolers. Children wander between the canoes, watching the next crews prepare to launch.
One dish that often appears at beach gatherings is poke, a simple Hawaiian fish salad seasoned lightly so the ingredients stay fresh.
The regatta is competitive, but it also feels friendly. Most people there understand how much effort it takes to move a canoe through open water.
Even if you live far from the ocean, the rhythm of paddling is easy to relate to. Life often runs more smoothly when people fall into a shared rhythm.
You see it in small ways — a household falling into a routine, colleagues working well together or friends walking side by side during a long chat.
A few simple habits can bring that same sense of rhythm into everyday life.
Plan one regular get-together Choose one evening each week when everyone sits down and eats together properly rather than grabbing food at different times.
Do something active with someone else Walking, swimming or cycling alongside a friend naturally creates a shared pace.
Share everyday jobs In a canoe, each paddler has a clear role. At home, dividing simple tasks — cooking, setting the table or clearing up — can make things run more smoothly.
Spend a little time near water Rivers, lakes and coastlines often help people slow down. Even a short visit can change the pace of a busy week.
After the final race ends, the day usually winds down in the same relaxed way it began. Canoes are carried back onto the sand and paddlers sit together in the shade, tired after the morning’s effort.
Prince Kūhiō Day honours a leader who helped shape modern Hawaii. The regattas are one of the simplest ways that spirit continues.
The sound of the canoe is a reminder that when people move together, things start to feel easier.
Simple Island-Style Poke Bowl (Serves 2)
You’ll need:
- 250g very fresh sushi-grade salmon or tuna, diced
- 1 small avocado, cubed
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- Cooked rice, warm or room temperature
Method
- Place the diced fish in a bowl and mix gently with the soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Add the spring onions and sesame seeds and stir lightly.
- Divide the cooked rice between two bowls and spoon the fish mixture on top.
- Scatter the avocado across the bowl and serve straight away.
By Dorimalia Waiau for Female First
Dorimalia Waiau is a Native Hawaiian author and cultural educator who writes about travel, island life and Hawaiian traditions. She has spent more than twenty years teaching and sharing the stories of her community, and her award-winning children’s books draw on real experiences of resilience, confidence and belonging. As a Travel & Culture correspondent, she offers warm, accessible insight into Hawaii’s landscapes, heritage and everyday life, bringing readers closer to the people and places that shaped her. The Secret Club and the Lost Legend, book three in Dorimalia’s Be Manaful series, is out now.