This is a framed and matted poster by LeRoy Neiman of the 1976 Molokai Hoe Race on October 17, 1976. The drawing is done on a navigational page of channels between Oahu, Molokai and Lanai. The race was won by the Tahitians.
The drawing shows the Outrigger Canoe Club crew in the koa canoe Kakina during the race. Outrigger finished in seventh place overall and was second in koa. This race was the longest of all the Molokai Hoe races, 55.6 miles, from Kaunakakai to Magic Island. The crew was Brant Ackerman, coach and paddler; Milton Beamer, Bill Bright, Mark Buck, Mike Clifford. Tim Guard, Mike Holmes, Donny Mailer, Ed Pickering, Jay Pynchon and Jay West.
The poster was a gift from Neiman to the Outrigger Canoe Club men’s team. The hand-written inscription reads: “Best wishes and fond remembrances to my friends of the Outrigger Canoe Club. LeRoy Neiman ‘77”
Neiman visited the Outrigger Canoe Club in 1976 and sketched paddlers and outriggers. “Neiman came along with us on practice runs sketching each paddler individually,” said Coach Ackerman. “He didn’t come on the race because I didn’t want to jinx our chances.”
The drawing was a gift to the 1976 Molokai Crew and they in turn loaned it to the Club for display. The drawing was displayed behind the Front Desk at the Main Club Entrance from 1986 until 2019. It was rematted and reframed and returned to display in 2020.
The inscription on the right reads:
“International Molokai to Oahu
Outrigger Canoe Race
Kaunakakai, Molokai to Magic Island, Honolulu
Sunday, Oct. 17, ‘76
LeRoy Neiman
Size: 35” high, 43” wide (with frame).