Kawika Grant was voted to Life Membership in the Outrigger Canoe Club at the Annual Meeting on February 8, 2021. Kawika has been a member of the Club since 1986 and has devoted many hours preserving the Club’s trophies earning him the nickname of Trophy Guru.
Kawika is one of those humble, behind-the-scenes members who has probably given more of his time and talent to the Outrigger Canoe Club than anyone. Only a few members know what he does because he doesn’t talk about it or expect thanks. He contributes because he loves the Club and wants future generations to share our traditions and heritage.
When you look at the Trophy Case in the Lobby, Board Room or Ka Mo’i Lounge, think of Kawika. He’s the one who has made sure names are updated on the trophies each year; he polishes them; he rotates the displays; he gets the trophies repaired; he develops new ones; he writes about every trophy; he even buys them when he feels we need a new one and there’s no budget. He has been doing this since 1986—34 years.
He helped compile the Waiwai Collection of Outrigger trophies and Na Mea, a catalogue which lists the 200+ trophies and Na Mea the Club has, a photo of each item, its history and the teams or people who have won it.
Kawika has kept alive the Club’s tradition for the naming of new Club canoes by compiling and updating a list of Hawaiian names suggested by Cline Mann that honor the land and waters surrounding the old and present Club sites, Auntie Eva’s list of Hawaiian names, and the names of Hawaiian sea birds that can be seen at or near the Club for the new ultralight class of canoes. He also is involved in the blessing of the canoes.
Kawika has been involved in the selection and display of new photos around the Club, including the volleyball and Olympic displays in the Lounge, Front Desk and Koa Lanai. He is working on the new surfing display for the Duke Room, and the Bronze Plaques for the Olympic Wall of Fame and Volleyball Walk of Fame.
He worked with Cline Mann on the Marathon Aid Station and joined Cline’s canoe trainer maintenance team, spending many hours refurbishing and preparing the trainer for paddling season. He’s present at the Cline Mann Ko’olaupoko Paddleboard Race and the Dad Center Canoe Race, as well as the Macfarlane Regatta, to share information about the history of the races, the trophies and the men for whom the races are named.
He was part of the team that recovered the koa canoe Ka Mo’i from Kauai and donated many hours of time to work on the restoration of the canoe which now hangs in the Ka Mo’i Lounge.
For his contributions to the Club’s athletic program, Kawika was elected to the Winged “O” in 2015.
It’s typical of Kawika to work behind the scenes at the Club, doing things most of us take for granted, but wouldn’t happen without his loyalty and dedication to the Club and its athletic programs.
Board of Directors
1997 Coordinating Director, Historical
1998 Coordinating Director, Athletics
Buildings & Grounds Committee
1989 Member
1990 Member
1991 Member
Historical Committee
2010 Member
2011 Member
2012 Member
2013 Member
2014 Member
2015 Member
2016 Member
2017 Member
2018 Member
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2020 Member
2021 Member
Judges of Election Committee
2006 Member
2007 Chair
Beach & Water Safety Committee
1995 Member
2000 Member
2001 Member
Canoe Racing Committee
1986 Member
1987 Member
1988 Member
1989 Member
1990 Member
1991 Member
1992 Member
1993 Member
1994 Member
1995 Member
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1997 Member
1998 Member
1999 Member
2000 Member
2001 Member
2002 Member
2003 Member
2004 Member
2005 Member
2006 Member
2007 Member
2008 Member
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2010 Member
2011 Member
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2013 Member
2014 Member
Fitness Center Committee
1990 Member
Kayak Committee
1991 Member
1992 Member
1993 Member
1994 Member
Paddleboard Committee
1992 Member
1993 Member
1995 Member
1996 Member
1997 Member
1998 Member
2000 Member
2001 Member