Monterey Hoe Wa'a

May 25, 2024 | Del Monte Beach

Monterey Hoe Wa'a & Memorial Day Race

For more than 30 years, Ke Kai's annual Memorial Day Hoe Wa’a long distance race has been one of the destination races for Northern Californian outrigger canoe paddlers. Started as a small gathering of local paddlers, the race has grown over the decades and now welcomes an average of 200-300 paddlers, ages 12-70+, for an exciting day on the beautiful Monterey Bay. Ke Kai has been honored over the years to have clubs participate from the Pacific Northwest, Southern California, Arizona, and Hawaii, in addition to the many clubs that make up the paddling community in Northern California. 

Join us as we welcome paddlers, water sport enthusiasts and those interested in watching canoe racing at its best.  It’s the perfect way to start the Memorial Day weekend, including our annual salute and acknowledgement of our military service people and veterans.

Join Hi'ilani 'O Ke Kai and the NCOCA paddling Ohana as we celebrate the start of another exciting racing season.  See you at Del Monte Beach, Monterey, on Saturday, May 25th!

2024 Schedule

8:00am Registration

8:30am Pule

8:45am Steersperson Meeting (all races)

9:00am Novice + Junior Races (short)  

10:30am Women's Races (short, long)
 Coed Races (short, long)

12:15pm Men's Races (short, long) 

2:00pm Awards

Note: this schedule has been updated on 5/15. The previously posted schedule (with only two race start times) has been revised.

Race Divisions

Race fees are $25/paddler, $150/ crew ($30/junior crew).


Registration will occur in NCOCA's online portal. Look for their email announcing the registration period. 

Questions about borrowing a Ke Kai canoe?  Reach out to our Race Coordinator, Thu Nguyen  at thu.nguyen@kekai.org. 

Race Courses

The race follows the pristine Monterey Bay coastline, with views (not that the paddlers should be looking!) of historic Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, passing the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Hopkin’s Marine Station as teams head out towards Pacific Grove, and then back to Del Monte Beach.  

NEW! This year, our race courses will all follow the same triangle path (counter clockwise).  The novice and short course will be one lap (4 miles) and the long course will be two laps (8 miles).  The map below shows tentative course.

A 2-mile keiki course (to first buoy turn and back) is available by request.

Location and Parking

Ke Kai’s canoe site is located next to Monterey Bay Kayaks (693 Del Monte Ave), between two Del Monte Beach parking lots (located at 588 and 559 Del Monte Blvd Parking, Monterey).  The closest parking options are metered or by permit. See map below for options. 


Beach Set Up and Rules

The race finish is on shore. The NCOCA tent will be located in front of the finish line.  Please set up club tents and canoes to the RIGHT of Ke Kai's tents, keeping canoes at least 50ft from the shoreline (so emergency vehicles can pass). 

Portable restrooms will be stationed near Ke Kai’s canoe space next to Monterey Bay Kayaks. Public restrooms are further down the beach and recreational trail. Do not use the restrooms or water facilities at Monterey Bay Kayaks.  

We will have trash, recycling, and composting receptacles available near the portapotties.  Please help us keep our beach clean!

Safety Infomation

With weather conditions ever-changing, paddlers know to expect the unexpected: their day may begin in the fog, open up to the sun and end with gale-force wind.  This translates to exciting conditions on the water, including large roller swells, bumpy waves, and impressive shore breaks.  Whether new to the sport or a seasoned paddler, the races will challenge one and all!

Canoes launch from Del Monte beach. Please use caution and time your launch with the swells.  

Spray skirts are required and necessary.  Canoes must be equipped with bailing devices and six PFDs.  Water conditions will become increasingly challenging with each race.  Any canoes loaned from Ke Kai will be equipped with the necessary safety equipment. In the event of any water-based emergency, safety officials are directed to bring any paddler in need of medical attention to the refueling dock inside the harbor, along the Coast Guard pier. 

The race finish line is on shore. Crews must land their canoes and a single paddler will run to cross the finish line.  Ke Kai members will likely be in the shore break to help catch and guide your canoes to shore.  Once the course is clear, canoes will back-paddle away from the beach in order to spin/back in to shore near your club’s primary beach location. 

Once back on shore, canoes must be kept at least 50 ft off water line so lifeguard vehicles can drive by. 


Available for Purchase 

Last Year's 2023 Event Report

Ke Kai hosted a wonderful event full of aloha and good cheer, and we could not
 have done it without the support of our friends and extended Ke Kai ohana.