Before dawn on October 3rd 2026, 18 crews and supporters gathered on Canoe Beach in Lahaina for the opening pule (prayer) for the 17th Paddle For Life event. Then we pushed off onto the open ocean. Our team, Mahina Canoe Club & Na Keiki O Ke Kai by Makoa Quest’s team was comprised of 21 paddlers, ages 9 to 69. We took turns paddling in 30-minute legs across the channel to Lānaʻi and back, 36 miles round trip.
Why we paddle
Beneath the joy of the journey ran both hope and grief. One Paddle for Life tradition is to place a photo on the canoe of a loved one who is facing cancer or who has passed from it. A few of us also wrote the names of loved ones on the backs of our paddles as a reminder of who we were paddling for.
Our three team members who are cancer survivors were honored as they landed at Hulopoʻe Beach and again back at Canoe Beach. Many of the several hundred Paddle for Life participants are survivors as well.
Our Keiki
Every journey is different, and this year we had five amazing keiki, ages 9 to 13, with us. They are all part of Nā Keiki O Ke Kai (Children of the Sea), and I’ve watched them grow over the past six years. Having them and their parents along made the trip extra special. Dis aunty is SO proud of them!
Perfect conditions
This season the ocean has been rough, with multiple hurricanes, storms and poor conditions, and the weather was our biggest worry leading up to the event. Instead, we were blessed with perfect weather and large pods of spinner dolphins in both directions. Each day’s journey took less than 4 hours (it can be up to 7 hours if conditions are rough).
To Lānaʻi with Trilogy
Our escort to Lānaʻi was Trilogy VI, helmed by Captain Riley Coon and his crew. They spoiled us with breakfast, fresh fruit, coffee on their luxury sailing catamaran that has bathrooms, shade and plenty of cold water to drink and shower off with. They even served elevensies of sandwiches and chips. More importantly, their crew made sure every one of us exited the boat and reached the canoe safely. Water changes are generally the most dangerous part of any crossing, and the level of care from both of our escorts was amazing!
Thanks to Trilogy’s generosity and the magic of one of our alakaʻi (leaders), Marylee, we had the most epic trip across the channel. It made the hectic, exhausting lead-up of training, fundraising and organizing more than worth it.
Fed by Nalu’s
All of the delicious food on Lānaʻi and at our landing back in Lahaina came from Nalu’s South Shore Grill in Kīhei. Owner Ron Panzo and his Nalu’s crew didn’t just cook and serve the most delicious food. They paddled the channel both ways too. That is a level of dedication is 100% aloha Maui. Sorry no pics of food – we all were too busy eating :).
Home with Maui Ocean Adventures
We almost didn’t have an escort big enough to bring us home, since Trilogy was only available Saturday. I had been following Captain Chrissy, co-owner of Maui Ocean Adventures (MOA), on Instagram for her clear, easy-to-follow updates on this year’s storms and hurricanes. Needing an escort and getting a great vibe from her, I called to ask if they could help. Captain Chrissy and her wife Captain Emma said they would love to.
MOA brought us back from Lānaʻi to Maui in Macy, their hot pink 34-foot Centurion, named after their dog who sadly passed from cancer. Captain Emma and first mate Casey were incredible, and I can see why MOA’s snorkel and whale watching tours are so popular. Having them with us was a true blessing and a whole lot of fun too!
Mahalo to our escorts, and please book with them
Both Trilogy and MOA are popular tour operators, and escorting us on our minimal budget meant they donated in a big way. Like all of our donors, their hearts are full of aloha and dedication to community. Both are also heroes of the Lahaina fire. They lost boats and courageously rescued people from the water on that fateful day in August 2023.
The best way to thank them is to take an excursion with them. If you’re planning a day on the water, whether it’s snorkeling, a trip to Lānaʻi or whale season (coming up in December), please book with Trilogy Excursions and Maui Ocean Adventures. And when you’re on the south side, stop in at Nalu’s for a meal. Supporting the businesses that show up for our community keeps that aloha going.
Mahalo to Pacific Cancer Foundation
A huge mahalo to the staff and volunteers of Pacific Cancer Foundation. Paddle for Life is a huge, multi-faceted event, with hundreds of paddlers, escort boats, food and logistics on two islands, and they pulled it off beautifully. The funds we raise support their free programs for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers across Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.
And of course mahalo to Uncle Kimokeo the co-founder of this event who at nearly 80 is the backbone of this event and many others.
A week later
We are all still filled with accomplishment and joy. Our team raised $23,755.53 and ranked 2nd in fundraising! Mahalo nui loa to everyone who paddled, trained, donated and cheered us on.
Thanks for being a part of this journey! with aloha, Jules (post author) and Marylee, Paul, Rita, Chris, Allison, Cheryl, Keona, Nakoa, Kainoa, Bianca, Erica, Leah, Katie R., Katie W.,Iris, Kai, Luna, Jeff, Malia, Wilson & Lindsay – and parents Chris, Kim & Jess.
Here’s more fun from Paddle For Life 2026
