Channel Swimming

Swimming the nine channels between the Hawaiian Islands is a goal of many ocean swimmers.  The Outrigger Canoe Club is proud to have among its members Harry Huffaker and James Caldwell who were pioneers in channel swimming in Hawaii.  Huffaker was the second person to conquer the Kaiwi Channel between Molokai and Oahu in 1967 amd Caldwell was the first to master the Auau Channel between Lanai and Maui in 1970.  Huffaker was back in 1972 to be the first to complete the Kaiwi swim in the opposite direction from Oahu to Molokai.  He was also the first to defy the Kalohi Channel (Molokai to Lanai) and the Alenuihaha Channel (Hawaii to Maui). Caldwell was the first across the Palilolo Channel in 1973.

Since those early crossings, a number of other Outrigger members have completed the channel crossings.  See their accomplishments below.  Read more

Maui Channel Relays

Outrigger Canoe Club swimmers competed in the first open-water relay swim in the Auau Channel from Lanai to Lahaina in 1972 and continued to be involved in the swim for more than a decade.  Competing teams came from Hawaii and California the first year, but the event became an international event in later years.  Read more