In the Beginning
1908
- Alexander Hume Ford founds the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Club on the beach at Waikiki in May.
- Queen Emma Estate leases one and a half acres of land and lagoon between the Seaside and Moana Hotels to the newly formed Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Club for $10 per year.
- Alexander Hume Ford elected first President. Membership consists of 86 adults and 15 juniors.
- Two authentic grass structures are purchased from a defunct Kaimuki zoo in July and moved to Club’s location. Dance pavilion and Hau Terrace added shortly thereafter.
- President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet” stops in Honolulu on its way around the world.
- Seamen entertained at new Club and outrigger canoe regatta attracted “the greatest fleet of outriggers ever assembled at Waikiki since the days of Kamehameha the Great.
- Alexander Hume Ford unexpectedly leaves town in December.
- George “Dad” Center joins Outrigger.
1909
- H. L. S. “Allan” Herbert takes over as President.
- Due in part to the absence of Ford, the Club experiences it first financial crisis in May; is saved by private donations and the organization of a Woman’s Auxiliary. First President is Frances Mills Swanzy.
- Membership numbers 60.
1910
- Sanford Ballard Dole, former President of the Provisional Government and first President of the Hawaiian Republic, is elected Club President.
- Cornerstone for new Clubhouse laid.
- Two sturdy wooden buildings, a large pavilion and Clubhouse, were erected, leaving the Hau Terraces in tact.
- Outrigger joins the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
- The Club’s first trophy, the Frank Clark Cup, was awarded. It was for a surfing contest and the winner was Josephine Pratt.
Legends of the Outrigger
1911
- Doremus Scudder, DD MD elected President.
1912
- Philip L. Weaver elected President.
- Duke Kahanamoku introduced his unique “Hawaiian Crawl” at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm and smashed the world record in the 100 meter freestyle event.
1913
- Guy Tuttle elected President
1914
- H. B. Campbell elected President
- World War I begins. Many Outrigger members join the Coast Guard Artillery battery.
1915
- “Dad” Center introduces beach volleyball and members become skilled players.
1917
- Ernest Tucker Chase elected President.
- Duke Kahanamoku joins the Outrigger.
- Outrigger mounts drive to expand membership and broaden its program of activities.
- Club Captain “Dad” Center instrumental in developing young surfers and paddlers.
- Castle Swim inaugurated in November. Swimmers raced from Castle home, (now the Elks Club) to the Outrigger Canoe Club.
- Volleyball gains in popularity as a sport at the Outrigger.
1919
- Warren Dease elected President.
- First OCC football team formed.
1920
- OCC football team is league champion, plays in New Year’s Day game against University of Nevada.
The Rocky Years
1923
- D. E. Mooney elected President.
1924
- Carlton C. James elected President
1925
- Percy Deverill elected President. Resigns shortly after. Joseph Rider Farrington elected President.
- Construction of Royal Hawaiian Hotel begins, necessitating relocation of OCC’s pavilion and men’s locker room and making some adjustments in the boundaries of the site itself.
- Club’s pavilion is moved back from beach and new canoe shed is build closer to water.
- Dredging of Ala Wai Canal begins, making it possible for OCC to fill in its useless and at times malodorous lagoon and create new land.
1926
- Woman’s Auxiliary elects to leave The Outrigger Canoe Club and become a separate entity called the Uluniu Women’s Swimming Club.
- Women admitted as “guest members” with all privileges except voting.
1928
- Lorrin P. Thurston elected President.
- OCC negotiates a 10-year lease extension on its Waikiki property at the rate of $150 per month causing financial problems to arise.
1930
- Roy Banks elected President.
- Leslie A. Hicks of Hawaiian Electric Co. and Thomas G. Singlehurst of Bishop Trust Co., two outstanding and highly respected business executives, are persuaded to join Board of Directors. Both served the Club for more than two decades and helped to keep the Club afloat during difficult times.
- Outrigger Canoe Club is incorporated on September 5.
- Mainland depression and new lease rent cause financial problems. Many members can no longer afford to pay dues.
The Winds of Change
1931
- George H. William Barnhart elected President.
1932
- Ronald Quay Smith elected President.
1933
- Leslie A. Hicks elected President.
1934
- Edward W. Timberlake elected President.
1935
- Clarence H. Dyer elected President.
1936
- James D. Willson elected President.
1937
- Walter J. Macfarlane elected President.
1938
- Waikiki land prices soar.
- City building inspectors proclaim Club buildings (some 30 years old) unsafe and order them demolished.
- Lease extension with Queen Emma Estate expires. Efforts to negotiate a new lease fail.
- Membership drops to fewer than 300.
- Matson Navigation Co. comes through again and leases property from Estate. It then sub-leases 46,000 square feet of beachfront property to the Outrigger for 25 years. Lease rent is $300 per year for five years, $400 for the next 10, and $500 for final 10 years. Lease to expire October 30, 1963.
1939
- Tentative plans for new Clubhouse drawn by the architectural firm of C. W. Dickey.
- July 28 an important meeting is held; Charter is amended, a new set of Bylaws adopted, a $90,000 bond issue authorized, and the Club’s first Board of Directors is elected.
- Bond pledges very slow in coming in. By the end of October, only $20,000 received.
- A special meeting is called on December 7. Question asked, “Should the Club be kept alive, or should the “Outrigger Idea” envisioned by the Founders be abandoned as an impracticable dream?” Of 50 members (out of 291) present, the answer was “Keep going!”
1940
- New enthusiasm brings in 218 new members at a higher initiation fee of $25. Bond sales improved.
- William “Pat” J. Flanigan is first “general manager” of the Outrigger.
- Architect C. W. Dickey chosen to design new Clubhouse.
- June 25 the Board of Directors signs contract with Ralph Woolley for construction of new Club, to be completed by year’s end. Estimated cost is $107,000.
The War Years at Waikiki
1941
- New Clubhouse officially opens on February 15. Outrigger becomes a full-fledged social Club.
- Financial woes continue to plague Club due to new expenses.
- December 7 Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. All organized activities at Club suspended.
- Military memberships increase, guest cards issued to members of armed forces.
- Regular membership grows to 650; limit of 775 members set.
- Initiation fee is $10 and monthly dues $3 for regular members, $1 for juniors.
- Henry de Gorog is new Club Manager.
- Newsletter, called Forecast, is launched by Club member Ernest Stenberg.
1942
- USO takes over Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
- As part of air raid warning system at Club, the Canoe Flag on the beach building will be lowered as a signal to members in the water. Others are advised to seek shelter in the main building.
- Initiation fee for regular members rises to $35 in April.
- Governor suspends Kamehameha Day holiday. No races held.
- Initiation fee again raised. New fee is $50 with dues at $3.33 per month for regular members.
- Regular lockers for men are $5 per year, or $12 per year for the deluxe type. Women pay $4 per year.
1943
- Club President Walter J. Macfarlane dies suddenly while on a trip to the mainland.
- Leslie A. Hicks elected President for the second time.
- Fourth of July canoe races renamed Macfarlane Regatta in “Walter Mac’s” honor.
- New dinner hours in the Dining Room are 5 to 7 p.m.
1944
- Initiation fee skyrockets to $100 for regular members.
1945
- Harold A. Mountain elected President. Does not complete term. Wilford D. Godbold elected President.
- Initiation fee doubled to $200.
- Albert “Gay” Harris named new Club Manager.
- Alexander Hume Ford passes away.
- Outrigger starts a Building Fund after a profitable year; $25,000 allocated.
- Athletic program revised.
- “Dad” Center given life title of “Honorary Captain”.
- Duke Kahanamoku named Director of Athletic Tournaments.
- Initiation fee raised from $75 to $200. Membership quota raised from 775 to 825.
- Net operating revenues for the year reach all-time record high of $64,000. $50,000 added to Building Fund.
1946
- Wilford D. Godbold continues as Club President.
- Initiation fee raised again . . . to $300. Dues are $5 a month.
1947
- Steep drop in operating revenues reported.
- Hau Terrace becomes evening Cocktail Lounge.
1948
- Outrigger Beach Services is established to provide surfboards and canoe rides to non-members as a commercial enterprise. Sally Hale is in charge.
- “Special Guests” category established for wives of regular and service members.
- Women’s Activities Committee is formed.
- Board of Directors announces that management of Club will be in the hands of the Finance Committee with a mandate to clean up the many delinquencies which had accumulated and to try make the Club financially sound.
- Forecast debuts in new format. Goes from postcard size to 8 pages, 6″ x 9″ and includes a few illustrations. Advertising has been added to make change possible.
- Membership drive inaugurated, with reduced initiation fee of $100.
- Building Fund grows to $115,000 and Board decides to use $20,000 for badly needed new lockers.
- E. P. Magill is hired as Club Manager.
- Special initiation fee of $100 offered to former members.
1949
- Architectural improvements, both attractive and practical, are made. Stairway from Hau Terrace to Dining Room and an opening to the area under the Dining Room directly to the beach are added.
- William M. Barnhart elected first Club Captain since Dad Center’s retirement from the position in 1938. Barnhart lays out an ambitious athletic program.
- Outrigger turns down request by one of the Club’s top steersmen, Albert “Toots” Minvielle, to sponsor and participate in a race from the southwest tip of Molokai to Waikiki.
1950
- OCC spearheads founding of the Hawaiian Canoe Racing and Surfing Association.
- Surge in membership causes Club to raise limit to 1,000 active senior members.
The Social Years
1952
- First Molokai-Oahu race is held. Outrigger does not participate.
- Castle Swim, neglected since 1933, revived.
- Building fund reaches $180,000.
- Queen’s Hospital (successor to Queen Emma Estate) declines Club’s offer to buy property.
1953
- Herbert M. Taylor elected President.
- Ted Magill returns as Club Manager.
- Canoe racing gains such popularity that Club appropriates $3,000 for the racing season.
- Outrigger agrees to enter proposed Molokai-Oahu canoe race, sponsored by Aloha Week Hawaii, Inc. The crew finishes in fifth place.
1954
- At May meeting, discussion of moving Club when lease expires in 1963 is debated for the first time.
- Elks offers to lease the Ewa half of its property, consisting of 73,800 square feet, to the Outrigger.
- Board authorized Finance Committee to enter into preliminary negotiations with the Elks for a long term lease with option to purchase.
- Waikiki land values soar to $20 per square foot.
1955
- Samuel M. Fuller elected President.
- New drive to increase membership to 1,200, with initiation fee temporarily reduced to $100 falls short, due to uncertainty of Club’s future.
1956
- Henry V. Danford elected President.
- Negotiations with Elks completed and lease is signed on November 11. A down payment of $60,000 is required.
1957
- Frederick E. Steere Jr. elected President.
- Directors accept offer from developers to buy out remaining lease for $200,000 and move by October 30, 1959. Deal falls through.
1958
- Ronald Quay Smith elected President for second time.
- Twelve year old Fred Hemmings Jr. wins third place in boys division at International Surfing Championships at Makaha.
- Sunday breakfast price raised from 50 cents to $1.75. Specialties are eggs benedict and chicken liver omelets.
- E. S. “Jake” Tudor comes on board as Club Manager.
1959
- Martin Anderson elected President.
1960
- J. Ward Russell Jr. elected President.
- Mariechen Jackson is first woman elected to OCC’s Board of Directors.
- Two important committees formed: Planning and New Club Finance, to explore all possibilities.
The Face of Change
1961
- Club’s Planning Committee submits proposal for a high-rise cooperative apartment building for Club members on the Elks Club site.
- Fred Hemmings Jr. wins first place in boy’s division at International Surfing Championships at Makaha.
1962
- Work begins on beach development at Elks site, including opening a channel into the San Souci Channel; laying a coral base for the beach fronting the Elks and Outrigger clubs as well as the Colony Surf, and constructing low-boulder groins at both ends of the three properties.
- Don Ross is new Club Manager.
- Club abandons idea of high-rise and proceeds with plans for new Clubhouse.
- Vladimir Ossipoff chosen to design new Club facility.
- Many members resign. Financial problems worsen.
- Membership drive is spearheaded by Hal Whitaker.
- White sand beach and site clearance completed at Elks site.
1963
- Working plans for new Clubhouse completed in February and submitted to Board.
- Seven bids submitted. Low bid of $799,069 by Pacific Construction Company is accepted.
- A “New Site Preview Party” was held in March to attract new members and reassure old ones.
- Planning Committee, renamed New Site Building Committee, is reorganized to include functions of the Beach Planning Committee.
- Construction contract is signed, leaving 258 days to complete the job.
- December 25–first Christmas open house held at new Club.
- Club members ring out old year for the last time at the old Club site.
1964
- On January 11, the Rev. Abraham Akaka ceremoniously dedicates new Club. Club is officially open.
- February 28–First annual meeting held at new Club.
- John Cline Mann, who had successfully chaired the building committee, elected President.
- Club dues raised to $10 a month, with an $8 Building Fund assessment added for regular members.
- Initiation hiked to $360, first increase since 1946.
- Joey Cabell wins men’s division at International Surfing Championships at Makaha. Fred Hemmings Jr. wins boy’s division, capturing first place. Both Cabell and Hemmings receive national publicity.
- OCC wins senior men’s race at Macfarlane Regatta, setting new record of 14:16.5.
- Peter S. Van Dorn takes over as General Manager from Don Ross in August.
- Old Club razed by bulldozers. Roy Kelley to begin work on new Outrigger Hotel.
- OCC Volleyball team goes to New York to compete against 42 teams in the U.S. Volleyball Association Championships and Olympic Team tryouts.
- Annual Luau held September 19.
- Zulu entertains on Hau Terrace on Friday nights.
1965
- Thomas Muirhead elected President at annual meeting in April.
- Cline Mann becomes Club Captain.
- Club’s athletic program grows.
- OCC wins Macfarlane Regatta and men’s senior crew wins for second time since 1950.
- OCC men’s volleyball team comes in fourth in a field of 40 teams at National Championships in Omaha, Nebraska in May.
- Pete Velasco chosen for U.S. Olympic team to compete in Tokyo. Also named first team All-American. Tom Haine named to second team.
- On August 24 Duke celebrates his 75th birthday.
- OCC wins 40 mile Molokai-Oahu race.
- Sailing is added to water sports and several Sunfish class boats are purchased for use by members.
1966
- Thomas Arnott elected President.
- Initiation fee upped to $450.
- Ron Sorrell named volleyball coach.
- Richard Keawe Kahue appointed Beach Captain.
- Revenue tops one million dollars for the first time.
- Volleyball player Miki Briggs named outstanding female athlete in Hawaii for 1965 by Honolulu Quarterback Club.
- OCC seeded third in U.S. Volleyball National Championships in Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 11 through 14. Take second place against 39 teams.
- OCC wins Macfarlane Regatta.
- Mark Buck and Hal Burchard represent OCC on the Hawaii All-Star Crew Competition in California. The event is sponsored by the International Hawaii Canoe Racing Association founded by Toots Minvielle.
- Leslie Hicks passes away on August 10. Was an active Club member since 1909.
- OCC canoe swamps in heavy surf during Molokai to Oahu race on October 16 after maintaining a strong lead.
- Winged “O” is established to pay tribute to Club members who have given unselfishly of their time and effort to promote our athletic program, either as outstanding performers or as back of the scenes organizers.
1967
- Tommy Arnott stays on as President for second term.
- Initiation fee now at $800 for regular members. New category for age group 30-34 remains at $450.
- OCC joins Hawaiian Surfing Association.
- Koa canoes Leilani and Kakina completely reconstructed by George Perry. Ready for season’s races.
- A new Koa canoe is commissioned.
- Long Range planning committee formed.
- Six-man Outrigger hard court volleyball team wins National AAU championship.
- Marilyn Haine named team captain of women’s volleyball team which will compete in U.S. National Championships in Detroit Michigan in May.
- OCC wins Macfarlane Regatta in August.
- OCC wins State Championship Canoe Races at Nawiliwili, Kauai by wide margin. OCC garners 45 points. Second place Waikiki Surf Club has 29.
- Membership reaches new high of 2,715.
- Dues raised to $25 a month, including Building Fund fee.
- New 21 mile Lanai to Kaanapali canoe race debuts. OCC comes in second.
- OCC wins Molokai race in 6:03 hours with Fred Hemmings Jr. steering the entire race.
1968
- Duke Kahanamoku dies in January.
- Howard H. Goss elected President.
- OCC hosts Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surf Contest at Sunset Beach where 24 of world’s greatest surfers compete. Fred Hemmings Jr. comes in first.
- Wally Young inducted into Winged “O”.
- Weeks of westerly weather cause beach in front of Club to disappear.
- Cline Mann leads group that pushes for building of groin from the Elk’s Club’s Ewa boundary into the mooring basin. Groin proves a success.
- May 1, OCC charters Boeing Intercontinental to take 82 members to Europe for a month’s stay.
- June 1 OCC holds 60th anniversary luau. Tickets are $5.
- OCC places second in Annual Kamehameha Day Regatta at Kailua Beach Park.
- OCC wins National AAU Volleyball Championship in Seattle, Washington.
- Waikiki Surf noses out Outrigger to win Macfarlane Regatta on July 4.
- Five OCC members named to volleyball team which will represent USA in Olympic games in Mexico City.
- OCC wins Molokai to Oahu race.
1969
- Ernest H. Thomas elected President
- An improved water craft, Scorpion, replaces Sunfish.
- Fred Hemmings Jr. wins World Surfing Championship in Puerto Rico.
- Joey Cabell wins Makaha International Surfing Contest.
- Fred Hemmings Jr. and Jerry Ober inducted into Winged “O”.
- New koa canoe, Paoa, is christened in both Hawaiian and Christian rites.
- OCC places second in National AAU Volleyball Championship.
- President Thomas announces balanced budget for 1970.
1970
- Donald Avery elected President.
- Outrigger co-sponsors International Hobie Cat Regatta.
- Membership reaches 2,983, including 1,040 regular members.
- Initiation fee set at $1,000 for regular members; $600 for the 30-35 age group.
- OCC wins Macfarlane Regatta with an unprecedented 50 points. OCC senior women win. Club enters all 14 events.
The Family Years
1971
- Thad Ekstrand elected President.
- Karl Heyer III inducted into Winged “O”.
- “Mama Helen”, everyone’s favorite waitress, retires after 27 years with the Club.
- Norman Riede hired as new General Manager.
- Thirty canoes swamp in Macfarlane Regatta. OCC wins.
1972
- A new high of 849 valid ballots cast for members of Club’s Board of Directors.
- Thomas A. Haine is Club’s new President.
- George “Fuji-san” Fujishige, honored at retirement party. Leaves Club after 29 years.
- Universal Gym, the latest thing in weight lifting devices, installed in workout room for use by adult men only.
- In April, HCRA announces official racing season will run from early June to late October and feature nine major regattas.
- OCC goes modern with computerized billing system.
- Bob Anderson represents OCC at Lima, Peru, surfing meet.
- New surfing canoe, Duke, recently completed by George Downing.
- Outrigger loses Macfarlane to Waikiki Surf by one point in hotly contested race. Mrs. Walter Flanders donates koa wave trophy to overall winner of Macfarlane Regatta.
- Beach Shop Committee formed to do buying and display for the Club Beach Shop.
- Dues for senior members raised to $15; regular, $30, Ladies; $22.50.
- In August, OCC sponsors open water relay swim from Auau Canal on Lanai to Lahaina, Maui.
- In September, Harry Huffaker is first swimmer in history to swim the twenty-six miles from Molokai to Oahu. He is timed at 16 hours and 15 minutes.
- Bill Baird inducted into Winged “O”.
- Board of Directors okays classified and business card advertising in Club magazine.
1973
- Robert “Rab” Guild is new OCC President.
- Castle Swim revived in reverse direction, from old Club in front of Outrigger Hotel to new Club. OCC member Bruce Ames wins.
- OCC men come in fifth in Molokai Race
1974
- Initiation fee jumps to $1,500.
- OCC wins 11th Annual Olympic Club Running Championship. Broke record by a whopping 65 mile average per person.
- OCC wins both Dad Center and Duke Kahanamoku races. Places fourth in Queen Liliuokalani.
- Polynesian Voyaging Society formed. Club members invited to join.
- Women’s softball team is organized.
- Two OCC crews to Hawaii for 2nd Annual City of Refuge to Kailua Kona Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race take first place in fiberglass division, second place in Koa division.
- Peter Balding chosen Club President.
- OCC wins five events in Windward Regatta.
- The koa canoe, Paoa, cracks.
- Annual luau is held June 22.
- OCC AA Volleyball team places second and OCC Master place fifth at National Volleyball Tournament in Dallas, Texas May 11-13.
- OCC charters Pan Am plane for two-week Tahitian trip on July 6. Round trip fare is $210. Room rate for double occupancy at Hotel Tahiti is $15 per day.
- Due to rising costs, bar drinks have been raised 10 cents, beer 5 cents. Dining Room prices also raised.
- OCC wins Macfarlane Regatta.
- For the first time, aloha attire is permitted in the Dining Room year-round, instead of summer months only.
- OCC wins Dad Center race August 18 and the Duke Kahanamoku race on August 25. Takes fourth in Liliuokalani races on September 1.
- Two large cracks open Leilani’s hull during Molokai race. OCC still manages to come in third.
1975
- Second annual Castle Swim takes place. Jimmy Dean, Kainoa Downing, and Kimo Austin take first three places.
- OCC marathon team has 19 finishers, aged 9 to over 60.
- Robert W. Mist is President of OCC.
- Initiation fee is raised to $1,500.
- Bar remodeling is completed.
- OCC wins Macfarlane Regatta.
- Heidi Hemmings steers Club to victory in Dad Center Memorial distance race in record time of 1:10.19.
- OCC volleyball team comes in third in nationals in Reno.
- OCC ties with Lanikai for fourth place at Makaha surfing championships.
- Senior men win in Windward Regatta; OCC takes overall third place.
- Senior men win in John D. Kaupiko Regatta. OCC places second overall.
1976
- Fifty-five OCC members staff Aid Station during second Annual Honolulu Marathon.
- Roy C. Kesner is Club President.
- Outrigger members Kimo Hugho and Tommy Holmes serve on crew of Hokulea on her historic voyage to Tahiti.
- OCC Volleyball takes top honors in the First Annual Polynesian Cultural Center Invitational Tournament at BYU campus. OCC Masters take second place.
- Men’s crew wins Duke Kahanamoku Canoe Race.
- OCC wins third straight Macfarlane Regatta.
- All-American Charlie Jenkins and Jim Iams team up to win Outrigger Open Volleyball doubles tournament.
- Outrigger girls win big in Dad Center.
- OCC wins Liliuokalani Race.
- Tahiti beats OCC in Molokai race.
1977
- Initiation fee raised to $1,200 for regular members, $1,000 for age 30-34.
- Kiki Spangler defends his title by placing first overall in Christmas Day Diamond Head Surf Paddle Race.
- Billie Baird and May Balding are Women’s Doubles tennis champs.
- Club Bylaws amended. “Lady” memberships ended.
- OCC sponsors 70 to 80 of nation’s top volleyball teams from the mainland and Alaska to compete in AAU National Volleyball Championship. OCC AA team, coached by Dave Shoji, is defending champion.
Outrigger’s AA and Masters teams both place second. Masters lose to California’s team “Sir Dal Roe”, led by 7’2″ Wilt Chamberlain. - OCC wins Macfarlane for fourth consecutive year with record 70 points.
- Members reminded to observe OCC dress code which states that closed footwear must be worn by men in Dining Room and after 6 p.m. in Cocktail Lounge.
- Outrigger sweeps to victory in HCRA State Championship Regatta at Keehi Lagoon scoring seven firsts, five seconds and a fourth.
- OCC’s first all-class sailing regatta a big success.
- Outrigger women’s distance crew wins prestigious Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race.
- Club dues increased for first time since 1972 and initiation fee is hiked to $2,000.
- A total of 4,038 guest members spent $5587,548 during the year.
1978
- First annual Kamaaina Night held in January.
- William J. Eggers III is new Club President.
- Dues increased to $35 for regular members; $25 for intermediate.
- Large number of members pay $99.50 per person to celebrate at “Burn the Mortgage Party” in September.
- New membership handbook prepared by Public Relations Committee is ready.
1979
- Raymond P. Ludwig new General Manager.
- Easter Buffet . . . cost $7.95
- OCC crews sweep HCRA and “All States” Meets.
- Special Thanksgiving Dinner promoted at $9.95.
1980
- Charles E. Ackerman Jr. is new Club President.
- Initiation fee now stands at $3,000 for regular members; $1,500 for age group 30-34.
- Harold Yost resigns after nine years as editor of the Outrigger Magazine when Public Relations Committee takes over responsibilities. Project change to 16 page magazine format.
- OCC beats Tahitian crew to win Molokai race in October, setting a record of 5:39.7.
- Aunty Eva Pomroy celebrates 35 years as Club receptionist
The Golden Years of Athletics
1981
- Dues raised to $45 per month for regular members.
- Bob Moore is Club’s new President.
- Board of Directors bans cigar smoking in Dining Room and Bar.
- Composer Alex Anderson introduces Club song The Outrigger, at February 23 Annual Meeting.
- New fiber glass racing canoe completed. Suggestions for name solicited.
- The Outrigger, a Club history, goes on sale.
- OCC captures eight first places to win title at Leeward Kai Regatta in Nanakuli.Hui Nalu noses out OCC in Keehi Lagoon Regatta.
- Harry Huffaker, Diane Stowell and Bonnie Eyre take home trophies from 12th Annual OCC Roughwater Swim from San Souci to Hilton Hawaiian Village.
- OCC women come in second in Na Wahine O Ke Kai Molokai to Oahu canoe race.
- Eva Pomroy retires in November. First came to work for OCC in 1945.
- Forty eight Club members run Honolulu Marathon.
1982
- Bob Moore to serve second term as President.
- Bob Fisher initiated into Winged “O”.
- Four OCC members participate in National Masters Swim Meet in Woodlands, Texas. Joan Osborne set four national records and placed first in six events. Husband Lloyd Osborne and Diane Stowell also win events.
- Fourth Annual Summer Invitational Open Ocean Swim held between OCC and Waikiki Surf Club. Sixty four out of 65 swimmers finish.
- Dining room prices increased eight to twelve percent.
- Jimmy Dean wins Castle Swim for sixth straight year. First woman to finish is Diane Stowell. Sixteen year old Chris Duplanty wins age group award.
1983
- Ben Cassiday Jr. is new Club President.
- Bill Brooks and Henry Ayau inducted into Winged “O”.
- OCC wins Molokai Race. Crews from Canada, Tahiti, Mainland and five Hawaiian Islands competed.
- Jimmy Dean wins 9th Castle Swim. Chris Duplanty wins in his age group.
1984
- Ben Cassiday continues as OCC President.
- Membership count stands at 3,657.
- Josephine Garner and George Brangier presented with Life memberships at Annual Meeting.
- OCC wins with three teams in Haili Volleyball Tournament in Hilo during Easter weekend.
- OCC softball team, trailing 0-9 after four innings, rallies to win 12-11.
- OCC wins Kamehameha Day Regatta in Kailua.
- Outrigger wins Dad Center Race.
- OCC wahine win Molokai Race.
- OCC places first, third and eighth in 41 mile International Molokai Hoe Canoe Classic.
1985
- Robert A. Guild chosen President at February Annual Meeting.
- Treasurer reports total income for 1984 is largest in Club’s history.
- Dues raised twenty percent across the board. Regular members now pay $54 per month.
- Second Annual OCC Ocean Triathlon held. Combines swimming, surfboard paddling and kayaking.
- Winged “O” bypasses inducting an athlete in favor of presenting Eva Pomroy OCC’s Special Contribution Award.
- OCC sends men’s and women’s teams to Hilo for Haili Easter Week Volleyball Tournament.
- OCC sweeps Kamehameha Day Regatta at Kailua Beach. Garners 102 points.
- Golden Masters division wins U.S. Volleyball Association National Championships in Long Island, New York. Takes second in Masters, fourth in Open.
- Muriel Flanders donates new trophy to Senior Women’s winning crew in Macfarlane Regatta.
- OCC wins all six individual regattas and the Oahu and State Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association Championship with most points ever in local competition. Head coach is Henry Ayau.
- Marilyn Kali named editor of the Outrigger magazine.
- OCC’s Summer Paddleboard Race is renamed for Cline Mann. Forty-five paddlers compete.
- OCC wahines win 4th Na Wahine O Ke Kai title in seven years.
1986
- The Outrigger Foundation and Duke Kahanamoku Foundation merge forming the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.
- Winged “O” inducts Walter Guild as newest member.
- Third Annual Ocean Triathlon off San Souci Beach in March is won by Bob Rocheleau.
- OCC wins King Kamehameha Regatta with 83 points.
- OCC wins Macfarlane Regatta with 92 points.
- Kaoloa, Club’s sixth koa racing canoe, joins ranks of Leilani and Kakina. It is built by member Joe Quinn.
- OCC wins OHCRA title at Keehi Lagoon, outscoring runner-up Kailua 88-80.
- OCC wins third straight Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championships at Hilo Bay. Takes 11 firsts, five seconds, four thirds to score 186 points in AAA division.
- OCC sends men and women’s team to compete in Newport to Catalina Race. Finish second.
- Seventeenth Annual Waikiki Roughwater Swim held on Labor Day when 1,250 swimmers finish at Hawaiian Village.
- OCC wahine win Dad Center Race.
- Plans for new 2½ story addition to parking garage unveiled. Will add 59 stalls.
- OCC wins Bankoh Molokai Ho‘e.
- Thirteenth Annual Castle Swim draws 36 swimmers. Ian Emberson wins for third year in a row.
- OCC holds first Outrigger Triathlon.
- OCC fields 27 members in Honolulu Marathon.
- 1987 budget forecasts income of $1,772,900.
1987
- Thomas A. Haine chosen Club President for second time.
- Tom Conner inducted into Winged “O”.
- 4th Annual Ocean Triathlon takes place. Club member Ian Emberson finishes second.
- Michele St. John is chosen head canoe racing coach, the first time in 79 year history of the Outrigger Canoe Club that a woman has held this position.
- OCC wins Macfarlane.
- OCC wins fourth straight HCRA Championship at Keehi Lagoon.
- Sauna in Women’s Locker Room catches fire.
- Duke Kahanamoku Dining Room is dedicated.
- Fifty nine paddlers enter 3rd Annual Cline Mann 5000 Meter Race. OCC’s first finisher is Dale Hope.
- OCC places second in Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
- OCC comes in fifth in nine-mile race between Maui and Lanai.
- Roughwater Swim has 1,131 entries. Three OCC members finish in top three places in age group.
- New parking lot addition nears completion.
1988
- Mark E. Buck takes over as OCC President.
- New locker fees. $2 per day. $6 per month for ladies; large men’s, $9.
- Parking garage addition completed. New total of spaces is 220.
- Vladimir Ossipoff is awarded Life Membership. His design for Clubhouse has won a number of awards.
- Fitness Program offered at OCC.
- Mini weight room in Women’s Locker Room is completed.
- Club celebrates 80th anniversary at annual luau. Cost is $15.95.
- Club members Tracy Phillips and Chris Duplanty named to U.S. Olympic team; Tracy to the kayak team, and Chris to the water polo team. Will compete in Seoul, Korea.
1989
- Peter Balding is chosen President for second time.
- Initiation fee goes up over 300 percent. Now $10,000 for regular members, $5,000 for age group 35-39 and $3,000 for 30-34. Nonresidents now pay $15,000. Monthly dues for regular members set at $65.
- OCC wins 12 events in Macfarlane Regatta.
- OCC Golden Masters bring home the gold. Win U.S. Volleyball National title at Toledo, Ohio.
- Second Annual Invitational Water Polo Tournament is held.
- OCC wins Hamilton Cup off coast of Australia. This is newest international outrigger canoe race.
1990
- Harwood Daniel Williamson elected President.
- A time capsule filled with memories of the Club’s first 25 years at Diamond Head is placed under Club’s old clock in February.
- Bill Bright is new Club Captain.
- Ian Emberson wins fifth consecutive Castle Swim. Thirty-two swimmers entered.
- Gulab Watumull, Fred Hemmings Jr., Oswald Stender and Christina Kemmer named to ODKF Board.
- Records set in every division of every race during 13th annual 10K Paddleboard and 2nd Annual One-Man Canoe and 12K Kayak races.
Breaking the Barriers
1991
- John T. Goss is new Club President.
- Kala Judd wins 6th annual Kayak Race from Hawaii Kai to San Souci from field of 101 participants.
- Diane Stowell is first woman inducted into Winged “O”. Steve Scott, OCC’s winningest canoe racing coach, also inducted.
- OCC wins Big Island water polo tournament.
- OCC and Kailua tie in Paiaina Regatta at Nanakuli.
- OCC wins Kamehameha Day Regatta at Kailua Beach.
- OCC places second in Dad Center Race.
- OCC wins both men’s and women’s divisions of Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Races.
- OCC men win 31 mile Catalina to Newport Beach race by sizeable margin over San Diego Canoe Club.
- OCC women win koa division in 13th annual Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
- OCC masters win division at Kaena Challenge.
- Fred Hemmings Jr. joins Duke Kahanamoku in International Surfing Hall of Fame.
- OCC wins koa division in Molokai Hoe.
- Ian Emberson wins 18th annual Castle Swim for OCC members only.
1992
- James C. Peterson takes reins as Club President.
- Mini charge of $25 per month is initiated.
- Club shows net operating loss of $31,191.
- Dues for regular members rises to $78 per month.
- Liz Perry-Dugan chosen as Club Captain.
- OCC’s A and Masters teams win at 35th Haili Men’s Invitational Volleyball Tournament in Hilo.
- Don Figueira joins staff as food and beverage manager.
- OCC and Hui Nalu tie at the 50th Annual Macfarlane Regatta. These two teams are the only ones to compete in the original 1943 regatta.
- OCC’s men’s water polo team wins bronze medal in 3rd annual Aloha State Games water polo tournament at Duke Kahanamoku pool at UH.
- OCC wins Leeward Kai Regatta; places second in Kamehameha and Waimanalo races.
- OCC wins 9th straight Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association championship.
- Staff battens down Club in November as Hurricane Iniki approaches.
- OCC’s masters crew wins Bankoh Molokai Hoe.
- OCC women win 14th annual Na Wahine O Ke Kai, beating out Offshore Canoe Club of California.
1993
- Charles O. Swanson is Club’s new President.
- Reynolds Burkland elected to Life membership.
- Shop is officially renamed “Logo Shop”.
- OCC celebrate its 85th anniversary.
- Liz Ventura takes over as Main Dining Room/Hau Terrace Manager.
- Greg Moss is new Club Captain.
- OCC’s men’s 35 and 40 masters volleyball teams retain national championship and become first in history to win three consecutive division championships.
- Outrigger comes in third in OHCRA regatta at Waimanalo Beach.
- Brendan Shea wins 13th Annual Paddleboard Races.
- OCC ties for second place in King Kamehameha Regatta at Kailua Beach Park. Hui Nalu wins.
- Outrigger takes third place in Leeward Kai Regatta at Keehi Lagoon.
- OCC’s Open Ocean Swim held during largest south swell of the season. Chris Moore wins.
- For the first time in ten years, Outrigger fails to win Macfarlane Regatta. Takes second place.
- Dawson Jones out paddles field to win 9th annual Cline Mann 5K Paddleboard race.
- Jon Andersen wins three summer sand volleyball tournaments, each with a different partner.
- Bill Bright selected for Winged “O”.
- OCC finishes eighth in Bankoh Molokai Hoe.
- Thirty-four swimmers enter 20th Annual Castle Swim. Chris Moore wins.
1994
- Walter Guild elected President of Outrigger Canoe Club.
- Dues raised to $85.
- OCC AA team wins Haili Volleyball tournament in Hilo defeating Kaneohe in finals.
- Alexander Anderson celebrates 100th birthday in June.
- OCC wins Kamehameha Day Regatta at Kailua Beach Park.
- Outrigger comes in second in Clem Paiaina Regatta at Keehi Lagoon.
- Architect Virginia Murison selected to direct renovation of Main Dining Room.
- OCC wins Macfarlane Regatta.
- OCC wins their 18th HCRA Regatta Championship at Keehi Lagoon. Have won ten in the last eleven years.
- OCC wins all three divisions in the 27th annual Duke Kahanamoku Long Distance Race. The 26-mile race starts at Lanikai Point and finishes at Duke Kahanamoku Beach.
- OCC finishes third in Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
- Four hundred gather to bid a final aloha to Tom “Daddy” Haine.
- OCC wins koa division in 43rd Bankoh Molokai Hoe. Masters 35 loses to Australian team.
- Chris Moore wins OCC Castle Swim for third straight year.
1995
- Wendell Brooks is new Club President.
- Remodeled Dining Room opens.
- Boys 14 finish second in first Imua Na Opio O Maui volleyball tournament.
- Outrigger wins Kamehameha Day Regatta, comes in third in Clem Paiaina Regatta.
- OCC wins Leeward Kai and Waimanalo Regattas.
- Macfarlane trophy won by OCC.
- Ruby Yabiku celebrates 40 years in the Business Office at the Club.
- Chef Teruya retires after 30 years.
- Charley Walker wins 11th Annual Cline Mann 5K Paddleboard Race.
- OCC women win Dad Center Race.
- Outrigger men take second in Duke Kahanamoku Long Distance Race.
- OCC women come in second and eighth in Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
- Outrigger takes second in HCRA Championships.
- John Rader is new Outrigger general manager.
- Club membership stands at 4,277.
- Manfred Pirscher is new Club Chef.
- Chris Moore wins fourth straight Castle Swim in choppy seas, minutes ahead of closest rival.
- Thirty-one OCC members finish Honolulu Marathon.
1996
- Scott Rolles named MVP for OCC softball team.
- OCC sponsors annual eight mile Hawaii Kai to Outrigger Kayak and One Person Canoe Race in which 159 compete. Mark Sandvold wins Kayak division; Mark Rigg wins canoe division.
- Robert T. Guard elected Club President.
- William Barnhart and Cline Mann awarded Life memberships.
- Ron Li is new Club Captain.
- Dues raised to $91 monthly.
- OCC tennis team places third in Honolulu Tennis league in highly competitive season. Gloria Keller is new tennis chair.
- OCC wins men’s 35 in the USVBA Championships in Dallas. Marc Haine named MVP.
- OCC members go “down under” to compete in Hamilton Cup, Australia’s premier international outrigger canoe racing competition.
- Board of Directors declines proposal to purchase Maunalua Bay Tennis Club.
- Lanikai beats out Outrigger to win Macfarlane Regatta.
- OCC paddlers win John D. Kaupiko Regatta at Marine Base Hawaii at Kaneohe.
- Outrigger wins OHCRA championship at Keehi Lagoon.
- Sous Chef Kelley Heldt joins Outrigger staff.
- Chris Moore wins 10th annual Cline Mann 5K Paddleboard Race.
- OCC softball team wins Leahi League title.
- OCC second in Duke Kahanamoku Race.
- Outrigger wahine win Dan Center Long Distance Canoe Race.
- Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Championship from Kailua Bay to Honaunau won by Outrigger women.
- Paula Crabb selected for Winged “O”.
- Chris Moore wins Summer Surf Paddleboard Race.
- Outrigger 18’s volleyball team takes San Jose by storm to win silver medals at Junior Olympics.
1997
- Brant Ackerman is new Club President.
- Dues are up to $98 per month.
- Chris Moore wins Castle Swim for sixth straight time.
- Forty OCC members run Honolulu Marathon.
1998
- Mary Philpotts McGrath is first woman President.
- Ernest “Tommy” Thomas elected to Life Membership.
- Five OCC teams compete in Schofield Barracks 56-mile race. Six team members run one leg each and three team members split the last leg totaling seven laps.
- Outrigger’s 30 & over team won the U.S. Volleyball Association National Championship. Forty & over finish second. Fourth place went to 35 & over.
- Chris Moore wins OCC Summer Surf Paddleboard Race.
- First Keiki Karnival held.
- Lanikai beats Outrigger in Macfarlane Regatta.
- OCC comes in third in Leeward Kai and Waimanalo Regattas.
- OCC ties for second place with Kailua at Clem Paiaina Regatta. Lanikai wins.
- OCC takes third in Kamehameha Day Regatta at Kailua Beach.
- Outrigger garners second place in HCRA Championships.
- Contest held for naming of Dining Room. The winning name is Koa Lanai.
- Chris Moore sets new record in 15th annual Cline Mann Memorial 5K Paddleboard Race with time of :29:1.
- OCC men win 26-mile Duke Kahanamoku Long Distance Race.
- Outrigger man win Kailua Bay Iron Challenge.
- Waimanalo wins Dad Center Race. OCC finishes fifth and sixteenth.
- OCC women win Koa division of Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Race. Men come in third; senior masters men are first in non-koa division.
- OCC comes in fifth in Na Wahine O Ke Kai.
- Senior Masters win Molokai Hoe division.
- OCC running team takes first in Hana Relays.
1999
- Jimmy McMahon elected President.
- Genie McMahon and Anita Brightman awarded Life memberships at Annual Meeting.
- OCC celebrates 35th anniversary of move to Diamond Head location.
- Jon Stanley is elected to the Winged “O” for volleyball. Played on 1964, 1968, 1972 Olympic teams.
- Reciprocal arrangements now include more than 50 private Clubs in the U.S. and foreign countries.
- The U.S. Volleyball National Tournament was held in San Jose. Three Outrigger teams won their divisions.
- Second annual Keiki Karnival big success.
- OCC places second in Paiaina and third in Kamehameha Day Regattas.
- Lanikai beats Outrigger in Macfarlane Regatta.
- OCC boys 12 & under finish third in prestigious gold division of U.S. Volleyball Junior National Championship in New Orleans.
- OCC wins John D. Kaupiko and OHCRA Regattas.
- Results of HCRA State Championships, late, long, windy and controversial. Results confusing.
- Record crowd attends 91st Annual Luau.
- Revived Golf Committee chaired by Phil Sevier, plays different course each month. Has great year.
- Kitchen renovation closes Dining Room for nearly three months, as equipment, floors, walls are replaced.
- Keiki Christmas Party changed to Saturday afternoon.
- OCC Men win 16th Bankoh Molokai Hoe canoe race.
- New Year’s Eve party sells out as Club members greet the Millennium.
The New Millennium
2000
- Karl Heyer IV was elected Club President, succeeding Jimmy McMahon.
- While the Fitness Center was closed for remodeling, members were given the opportunity to use The Gym, one of the better facilities in Honolulu.
- The six Outrigger teams which competed in the Haili Volleyball tournament in Hilo garnered three first places, one second and one third. The sixth team was in a three-way tie for first place in their pool.
- It was a close, but Lanikai, with 71 points, won the Macfarlane Regatta on July fourth, followed by Outrigger with 67.
- The Honolulu Advertiser called Outrigger the “Sleeping Giant of paddling that finally awoke” as OCC crews captured the John D. Kaupiko Regatta on July 16 at Keehi Lagoon. Outrigger won six events to squeak by Lanikai 67-66.
2001
- Hal Henderson elected President, succeeding Karl Heyer IV.
- For the second consecutive year, Jimmy Austin won the 17-mile Cline Mann Koolaupoko Paddleboard Race from the Makai Pier in Waimanalo to the OCC beach.
- An ad hoc committee reviewed the history and terms of the lease from the Elks for the property on which the Club stands. The present lease rent term expires on November 16, 2006.
- Headline in the Honolulu Advertiser of July 16 read “Outrigger Canoe Club Returns to Glory.” OCC paddled to victory in the John D. Kaupiko and OCHRA Regattas.
- The Surfing Committee announced that Keegan Edwards and Geodee Clark have been given awards for Outstanding Female and Male Surfers of the Year.
- On August 4, Outrigger placed third in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association Championships at Hanalei Bay.
2002
- Chris McKenzie elected President at Annual Meeting.
- The 28th Annual Castle Swim had a bonanza turnout of 37 swimmers, the largest race ever. Winner was Chris Moore who made it in 35 minutes, 17 seconds.
- Outrigger finished the regatta season by winning the Oahu Canoe Racing Championship at Keehi Lagoon and finishing third in the Hawaii Canoe Racing Association State Championship at Hilo Bay.
- Fred Hemmings was presented with the Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association 2002 Waterman Achievement on August 17 in Dana Point, California.
- The Board of Directors approved the design concept developed by the Master Plan Ad Hoc Committee that includes preparation of more detailed schematic design drawings and obtaining contractor proposals. The committee has dubbed the new plan OCC2C, short for Outrigger Canoe Club the Second Century.
2003
- Glenn Perry was elected Club President at the Annual Meeting.
- Following a near collision just beyond the start at Flat Island, the Outrigger Red women passed Hui Nalu outside Waimanalo Beach to win their second consecutive Dad Center Race by more than four minutes.
- On June first, the Clement D. Paiaina Regatta brought hundreds to Keehi Lagoon for the 37 event regatta which features races for paddlers from 12 to 55+. Lanikai won with 73 points, followed closely by Hui Nalu with 71, Kailua with 67 and Outrigger with 48.
- The men of Outrigger Canoe Club paddled a strong race in sloppy conditions to earn a fourth place finish in the 53rd Annual Molokai Hoe on October 12.
- The Master Plan Ad Hoc Committee has made considerable progress since its last report. Architect Ted Garduque has completed the schematic drawings and a Construction Project Manager was selected.
Tradition or Change
2011
- Greg Moss was elected President of the OCC.
- Canoe builder Joseph Quigg was voted a Life Membership at the Annual Meeting. Joe designed and built the Club’s koa canoe Kaoloa, remodeled both the Leilani and Kakina canoes, and was a builder of paddleboards, surfboards, sailboats and other watercraft.
2012
- Marc Haine was elected President of the OCC.
- C. William Brooks II was elected to Life Membership for his contributions to the Club’s athletic programs over the term of his membership.
2013
- Jeffrey Dinsmore was elected President of the OCC.
- Michele St. John was announced as the newest Winged “O”.
2014
- Jeffrey Dinsmore was re-elected President of the OCC.
- Karl Heyer IV and Tiare Richert-Finney were announced as the Club’s newest Winged “O”s.
- Diane Stowell was voted to Life Membership for her prowess as a swimmer and runner, and her long-time contributions to the Board of Directors, ODKF and Club Committees.
2015
- Jon Whittington was elected President of the OCC.
- Kawika Grant was announced as the 50th Winged “O”.
- Peter A. Balding was voted into Life Membership in the Club. He served as Club President twice, was active on a variety of committees, played on Club volleyball teams, and was a member of Winged “O”.
2016
- Fred Noa was elected President of the OCC.
- Wendell Brooks Jr., Harold Henderson and Gerri Pedesky were voted to Life Membership at the Annual meeting. Brooks and Henderson were both past presidents, and Pedesky served on the Board of OCC, Outrigger Foundation and ODKF, as well as paddling for many years.
2017
- Anthony Hunt was elected President of the OCC.
- David Shoji and Mark Sandvold were announced as the newest Winged “O”s.
- Ron Sorrell was elected to Life Membership in the Club. He was a past-President, Winged “O” and long-time member of the Club’s volleyball teams.
2018
- Dustin Sellers was elected President of the Outrigger Canoe Club.
- Mary Philpotts-McGrath and Tay Perry were voted to Life Membership in the Club. Mary was the first woman president of the Club and served on the Building and Grounds Committee for many years. Perry, a long-time member of the Historical Committee, devoted hundreds of hours to restoring the koa canoe Stephanie which hangs in the Ka Moi Bar and Lounge.
- The last issue of the Outrigger magazine was published in December 2018. The Outrigger had been published on a monthly basis since September 1970 for members at home and away. The magazine had five editors during that time: Jerry October (1970-1971), Harold Yost, (1971-1980), Cindy Foster (1980-1980), Mary Buckley (1980-1985) and Marilyn Kali (1985-2018).
2019
- Robert Durkin was elected President of the Outrigger Canoe Club.
- Marilyn Kali, who served as Editor of the Outrigger magazine for 33 years, was elected to Life Membership in the Club. Singled-handedly, she researched the history of the Club’s athletic programs and competitions from 1908-to the present and developed a website, outriggercanoeclubsports.com, where she recorded that history, results, and photos of Club athletes and teams. She also added the archives of the Club’s Historical Committee onto the site.
- The Member Relations Committee initiated publication of a new bi-monthly magazine for the Club named Ama in January.
- The Athletic and Entertainment Committees held an Awards Banquet to honor Club athletes. Alan Lau was announced as the newest Winged “O”. Athletes of the Year were Amy Woodward and Travis Grant. Harrison Deisroth was Paddler of the Year. Mahina Akaka was named the John McMahon Outstanding Junior Surfer and Jon Stanley Jr. and Kassidy Chun were named the Dodge Parker Outstanding Junior Volleyball Players. Golfers of the Year were Jarriel Tuinei and SE Lee.
Finding the New Normal
2020
- William Meheula was elected President of the Outrigger Canoe Club.
- Sixty-year members, past Presidents, and Winged “O”s Mark Buck and Tim Guard were elected to Life Membership in the Club for their contributions as leaders and watermen.
- On March 4, the Club suspended reciprocal arrangements with clubs in Level 2 and 3 countries until the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic ends. Members were asked to not bring or sponsor guests visiting from these countries to the Outrigger until they had been in a Level 1 country and symptom-free for a minimum of 14 days. Members who traveled to a country classified at Level 2 or 3, were asked to refrain from visiting the Outrigger until they had been back and without symptoms for 14 days.
- On March 19, the OCC Board and management closed all restaurants and bars, the volleyball courts and the Fitness Center due to the Coronavirus. Members could walk, run, swim, surf and paddle from the Club. The use of multi-person boats was discouraged and the use of Club canoes was prohibited.
- On March 20, Past Presidents of the Club initiated an Employee Furlough Fund to assist Outrigger’s 139 employees who were furloughed due to the coronavirus. The Past Presidents committed $15,000 toward the fund and asked members to contribute with a goal of $100,000. In one week the fund had swelled to more than $124,000 with a total of 320 members contributing. The fund will help take care of Club employees who welcome us, take care of us and make our Club our “home away from home.
- In compliance with the guidelines from the CDC, State of Hawaii and City and County, the Locker Rooms, Beach Services and Logo Shop were closed starting March 22. Club services that remained open were To-Go food, the beach via Canoe Alley, the Koa restrooms and outdoor showers. Members were advised to adhere to social distancing of at least 6 feet while on Club premises. All March and April events were cancelled.
- xcept for Grab & Go from the driveway, all Club facilities were shut down on March 25 and the parking lot and access to the Club and beach were locked in accordance with government regulations and recommendations. Between March 18th and March 23rd, the Club furloughed 139 employees with only 11 employees (all management) still working full or part-time performing ongoing management tasks, and takeout service. The Board decided at least through June to provide medical coverage for the furloughed employees. In addition, the Club is obligated to pay the furloughed employees their accumulated vacation time plus any unused vacation. The remaining salaried employees were being paid at 75% of their previous rates of pay.
Given the Club’s financial picture and considering the Coronavirus, the Board approved the following dues policy for 2020:
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- Dues Rates will remain the same.
- For requests for financial hardship during the closure, the $75 fee will be waived.
- Regarding college students sent home this semester, they will continue to remain on student inactive status, so long as they remain enrolled in those mainland schools.
- Mini-charge will be waived during restaurant and bar closure starting April 1.
- Locker room and watercraft locker rent will be waived during closure starting April 1.
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The Board understands that maintaining dues rates when the Club is substantially closed may seem unjustified to some members. However, our perspective is that the Club is a non-profit and thus the members are effectively the owners. This is our Club! We have a legendary history and tradition and the great majority of us want the Club to continue to flourish for future generations. Reducing dues will directly reduce our Building Fund and our CIP Fund, which will already be reduced this year without a reduction in rates, and we need these funds to grow to remain relevant going forward. That said, the situation is fluid and the Board will continue to re-evaluate this policy.
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