Joined OCC: May 10, 1972
Elected to Winged “O”: October 5, 2013
For more than 40 years, Michele St. John has paddled her heart out for the Outrigger Canoe Club, which to her, is more than just a “Club,” but a treasure, representing friends, and family; paddling is a personal relationship with the ocean. She has not only paddled, but steered and coached as well.
Born in Michigan on September 17, 1946, Michele grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her great grandfather founded Chris-Craft, a well known boat manufacturing company, and her grandfather took the company nationwide and was responsible for its becoming one of the country’s most prominent boat builders. Michele has never been far from the water.
In 1963, Michele’s mother brought her young son and daughter to Hawaii for a week’s vacation. It made such a lasting impression on the 16-year-old girl that she vowed to return someday. That someday came in 1970 when Michele again vacationed in Hawaii.
While here, she met a member of the Outrigger who introduced her to the Club and it was love at first sight. She knew immediately that it was where she was meant to be. Shortly after, Hawaii became her permanent residence and as soon as she became a member, the Outrigger was her second home.
Michele’s first experience in an outrigger canoe was a ride out to “Old Man’s” with fellow Winged “O” Fred Hemmings Jr. steering. It was a new experience for her, and when Fred yelled, “If I tell you to jump, jump!” she had no idea what might happen. Fred did yell “Jump!” as a mammoth swell came pounding toward them and the canoe hulied. Although a bit stunned, she had a blast and couldn’t wait to try it again.
The experience didn’t discourage her from taking up the sport, and she quickly progressed from paddler, to steerswoman, to coach. When the women’s Molokai race, Na Wahine O Ke Kai, became official, she entered that first race and was on the winning crew; she even participated in hand-making the trophies, which were koa paddles, in Pinky Thompson’s garage in Niu Valley.
In 1975, Michele coached Novice A and B crews and was truly an inspiration to her paddlers. Her “Yes we can” attitude instilled in them the ingrained belief that they were going to win first place or nothing! And they usually did. In 1987, she took on the demanding role of Head Canoe Racing Coach, the first wahine to hold such a demanding position. Her responsibilities included recruiting coaches for the Club’s more than 30 paddling crews, scheduling practices, and overseeing the entire program of both regatta and long distance races; preteens to masters were all under her jurisdiction.
Not only did Michele do an outstanding organizational job, but she motivated the paddlers to strive for victory, not only for the sake of the Club, but to uphold the tradition and legacy it represents. During her tenure, the Outrigger won five regattas during the regular season, as well as the Oahu and State championships.
After her term as head coach, Michele continued to wield a paddle, always striving for first place, always maintaining a positive attitude. In 1977, her crew went undefeated for the entire racing season.
In 2013, Michele served as Co-Chair of the Canoe Racing Committee, a sub-committee of the Athletic Committee, and one whose responsibilities are, at times, over-whelming. Finding capable volunteers to join the committee, registering paddlers, working out logistics, checking equipment, planning budgets, and the myriad details connected with the program were all part of her duties. In 2014 she continued to assist the committee.
In her personal activities, she displays the same gusto and enthusiasm as she does in her serious endeavors. Always the life of the party, she is one of the few who has celebrated their birthday perched high atop the canoe in the bar. (Michelle admitted this only because, she claims, the statute of limitations has run out.)
Whether she is paddling, steering, coaching, or overseeing the entire program, Michele inspires others with her unbridled enthusiasm and gung ho attitude. Her recruiting abilities include bringing back former paddlers and new members who have never paddled before. She says, “If they have a pulse, they’re a potential paddler.” She is a shot in the arm not only to Outrigger’s paddlers, but to the entire Club.
She has also served on Outrigger’s Board of Directors and other committees, including Public Relations, Entertainment, and Admissions and Membership.
Whatever she’s involved in, she does it with the same passion and devotion that she gives to paddling.
Membership in the Winged “O” is indeed a fitting reward for such long-time, devoted service. Congratulations, Michele, and keep on paddling!
Athletic Contributions
Canoe Racing Committee
1979 Member
1980 Member
1987 Head Coach
1988 Member
1990 Member
2013 Co-Chair
2014 Member
Na Wahine O Ke Kai
1979 1st Place Overall
2000 Coach
2012 3rd Place Masters Women 50
Dad Center Long Distance Race
1976 1st Place Overall
1977 1st Place Overall
1978 1st Place Overall
1980 1st Place Overall
1986 3rd Place Glass
1989 2nd Place Koa
1991 2nd Place Koa
1993 9th Place Glass
2006 30th Place Open
2007 38th Place Open
2010 39th Place Open
Winning Regatta Crews
1976 Waimanalo Regatta Senior Women
1976 Windward Regatta Senior Women
1976 Leeward Kai Regatta Senior Women
1976 Macfarlane Regatta Senior Women
1976 Duke Surfing Regatta Senior Women
1976 OHCRA Championships Senior Women
1976 HCRA Championships Senior Women
1977 King Kamehameha Regatta Senior Women
1977 Leeward Kai Regatta Senior Women
1977 Macfarlane Regatta Senior Women
1977 WaimanaloRegatta Senior Women
1977 OHCRA Championships Senior Women
1977 HCRA Championships Senior Women
1978 King Kamehameha Regatta Senior Women
1978 Leeward Kai Regatta Senior Women
1978 Kaupiko Regatta Senior Women
1978 OHCRA Championships Senior Women
1978 HCRA Championships Senior Women
1986 Leeward Kai Regatta Masters Women
1986 OHCRA Championships Masters Women
1987 Pops Waialeale Regatta Masters Women
1990 King Kamehameha Regatta Junior Women
1990 Waimanalo Regatta Junior Women
1990 OHCRA Championships Mixed Masters
1991 HCRA Championships Junior Women
1992 King Kamehameha Regatta Junior Women
1992 Leeward Kai Regatta Junior Women
1992 Waimanalo Regatta Junior Women
1992 Kaupiko Regatta Junior Women
1992 OHCRA Championships Junior Women
1993 OHCRA Championships Junior Women
1994 Paiaina Regatta Junior Women
1995 Kaupiko Regatta Senior Masters Women
1995 OHCRA Championships Senior Masters Women
1997 Paiaina Regatta Senior Masters Women
1997 Waimanalo Regatta Senior Masters Women
1998 Macfarlane Regatta Masters Women 45
1999 OHCRA Championships Masters Women 45
2002 Macfarlane Regatta Masters Women 45
2007 Kaupiko Regatta Masters Women 60
2007 Macfarlane Regatta Masters Women 60
2007 OHCRA Championships Masters Women 60
2008 Macfarlane Regatta Masters Women 55
2010 Macfarlane Regatta Masters Women 60
2011 Macfarlane Regatta Masters Women 60
2013 Macfarlane Regatta Masters Women 65
2015 Kaupiko Regatta Masters Women 65
2015 OHCRA Championships Masters Women 60
2016 Father’s Day Regatta Masters Women 65
2016 Kaupiko Regatta Masters Women 65
Service to the Outrigger Canoe Club
Board of Directors
1995 Coordinating Director for Entertainment Committee
1996 Coordinating Director Public Relations Committee
Admissions & Membership Committee
1984 Member
1985 Member
1990 Member
2000 Member
Entertainment Committee
1974 Co-Chair
1975 Co-Chair
1989 Member
2011 Member
2012 Member
House Committee
1988 Member
Judges of Election Committee
1994 Member
Nominating Committee
2015 Member
2016 Member
2020 Member
2021 Member
Public Relations Committee
1978 Member
1997 Member
1998 Member
2009 Member