| Canoes may have been in existence as early as | | | | use? It seems that outrigger ones are better |
| thousands of years ago but people are still going | | | | suited and dependable when faced with large |
| gaga over canoes today because of the thrill and | | | | waves. Majority of the people who were traveling |
| the freedom it offers. They used to be very | | | | in area near big waters or open seas required |
| useful in fur trading not only for transporting | | | | more stable canoes like them. |
| traders and their crew but also their cargoes. The | | | | Outrigger canoe racing is becoming a very popular |
| ease with which canoes can be manipulated even | | | | sport for canoeing enthusiasts and the design for |
| in narrow waterways has proven advantageous | | | | the unit is attributed to the Hawaiians. It is thus |
| for traders who manufactured the furs straight | | | | understandable that internationally, the Hawaiian |
| from their wilderness sources. | | | | terms for the parts of the unit are in Hawaiian, |
| Today, the canoes have not lost their popularity. | | | | except of course for some people who use their |
| Instead, canoeing has become more popular than | | | | own language. While canoeing enthusiasts attribute |
| ever before as a hobby and as a sport for | | | | the major influence of Hawaii in promoting racing |
| individuals and even the whole family. In Maui | | | | using them, they also acknowledge the |
| alone, clubs have been established to cater to the | | | | contributions made by people from some areas in |
| needs of outrigger canoe enthusiasts who are | | | | the Pacific in introducing this type of canoeing. |
| increasing every day. People are familiar with | | | | The use of outrigger canoes in racing has |
| ordinary canoes but what about this type of | | | | provided enjoyment and discipline to the Hawaiians |
| canoes? | | | | as well as the thousands of enthusiasts who are |
| The very first canoes were dugout or carved out | | | | now hooked on the sport. Racing with the use of |
| of large trees or logs. Outrigger canoes are called | | | | this type of watercraft started to become |
| as such because they have been fitted with | | | | popular as a regatta as early as the 1940s. In |
| outrigger accessories or attachments to enable | | | | Hawaii alone, there are more than fifty outrigger |
| the canoe to become more stable. There are | | | | canoe clubs with members participating in annual |
| however various designs of outrigger canoes. | | | | regattas. Some of the well known ones in Maui |
| Majority of the people in Indonesia, Micronesia and | | | | are Kihei canoe club and Maui canoe club. Many of |
| nearby islands relied on them for their livelihood | | | | these clubs have their own websites. In addition |
| and everyday needs. | | | | to this Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association |
| While the ordinary unit is better known than the | | | | was also formed to facilitate all types of canoeing |
| outrigger canoe, this type of unit has been in | | | | nativities. |
| existence for a very long time already. In fact, | | | | Outrigger canoeing clubs have sprouted all over |
| the they have been used by tribes to colonize | | | | the world and its popularity is increasing everyday. |
| and to wage war against their neighbors. But why | | | | But while the thirst for canoeing has spread all |
| place outrigger attachment to a unit when the | | | | over the world, Hawaii remains committed to the |
| regular ones are already suitable for everyday | | | | sports and considers this a national sport. |