Introduction
This is a detailed version to augment the Sunrise Paddling Protocols Acknowledgment Form that all sunrise/recreational paddlers are to sign. Our goal in KOCC is to participate faithfully in hoe wa’a (paddling canoe), respecting the customs and culture of this ancient practice while getting a full-body workout and enjoying together the beautiful waters surrounding Moku o Keawe, our island home. To make sunrise paddling a safe, fun and enriching experience, paddlers are to adhere to the protocols described herein. Beach captains and ho’okele are expected to have a thorough knowledge of all sunrise paddling protocols.

The Sunrise Paddle Program
Sunrise paddle sessions are held Monday through Friday mornings, with a more rigorous long distance paddle session available on Saturdays. Sunrise paddle wa’a depart by either 6:15 or 6:30 am, depending on the time of year, and time on the water is approximately 45 minutes

Protocols

Signing Up to Paddle
Online signup to paddle begins one week prior to the desired paddle session, and ends at about 6:15 pm of the evening before the session. Availability of seats depends on the number of wa’a available for use, and signups are first come, first served. Signing up reserves the paddler a seat that will be determined on the beach prior to the paddle session. Note: Please be considerate of your fellow paddlers and only sign up if you fully intend to participate in the session so that others desiring to paddle do not get “shut out” unnecessarily.

Guest Paddlers
Members may sign up a prescribed number of guests as a benefit of their membership. Unless the beach captain allows otherwise, a member must accompany their guest in their assigned wa’a. Also, if the session signups include several new/inexperienced guest paddlers needing to paddle in the double hull wa’a, the beach captain may, in the interest of safety and consideration for the other paddlers, cap the number of guests allowed to paddle in the double hull. While such instances are rare, they will result in one or more persons not being able to paddle in the session. 

Canceling a Signup
A paddler who signs up and then determines that they cannot attend the session should (a) if doing so prior to closing of signups, remove their name from the online signup; or (b) if doing so after the closing of signups, contact the beach captain to indicate their intended absence. Note: Paddlers should only sign up for sessions that they fully intend to attend and not “blanket” sign up on the off chance that they will make every session.

Showing Up to Paddle
Paddlers shall show at least 30 minutes and no less than 10 minutes prior to departure time to check in with the beach captain, help move wa’a to the water, and determine where they will sit. For beginning paddlers, this is the time to get a loaner paddle, if needed, and get an introduction to paddling from experienced paddlers assigned by the beach captain to assist you. Note: At the discretion of the beach captain, wa’a may depart up to 10 minutes early; therefore if a paddler does not check in at least 10 minutes prior to departure, they may be left behind.

Assignment to the Double Hull Wa’a
Those individuals who are new to paddling or unable to climb unassisted from open water into a wa’a will be assigned to the double hull wa’a, which will not huli (flip over) under normal conditions. For the new paddler, the double hull wa’a provides the opportunity to learn paddling mechanics without concern for the sea state. Note: From time to time paddlers will be tested for their ability to climb from open water into a wa’a.

Pre-Departure Procedures
Awareness and respect on everyone’s part are vital during preparations to depart. The beach captain is in charge and responsible for checking in paddlers, determining the number of wa’a to be used, overseeing the transfer of wa’a to the water, making any seating assignments deemed necessary to balance the wa’a, and giving the go-ahead for wa’a to depart. Guidelines to keep in mind include:

• The beach captain makes the final decisions on matters that affect the safety and enjoyment of those attending. This includes assigning/re-assigning individuals to wa’a/seats as needed.
• The ho’okele (steersperson) for each wa’a directs the movement of that wa’a to and from the water, including steering the wa’a to safely use the beach ramp and avoid obstructions.
• Safety is paramount when moving wa’a. When helping to move a wa’a, moving crewmembers let the ho’okele steer and speak only to provide the ho’okele with information needed to avoid obstructions or to halt an unsafe situation. A quiet movement keeps confusion to a minimum.
• Kokua in Hawaiian means “help”, and it’s the expectation of everyone to help move wa’a, with the exception being those who need to leave the beach for work or overriding commitments before wa’a are stowed.
• Wa’a should always be wheeled into and out of the water and not slid across the sand.
• Wa’a always face toward the ocean, per Hawai’ian custom and to facilitate launching,

High Surf Considerations & Actions
Although the seas near Kailua Kona are typically calm, there are occasional instances of high surf that may preclude paddling. In these instances, the beach captain determines whether it is safe to paddle, given the following guidelines:

• The beach captain will observe the ocean from the end of Kailua Pier for at least two wave sets to gage the actual conditions and then decide whether to paddle.
• If the decision is made to paddle under high surf conditions:
  • Depart after daylight so that there is sufficient visibility to read the seas.
  • Marshal the wa’a outside of the inlet to Kamakahonu Beach and make another assessment of the seas and then determine whether to continue the paddle.
  • Ensure the wa’a stay close enough to each other to provide mutual assistance within five minutes of any incident.
  • The ho’okele of each wa’a is responsible for the safety of their wa’a and crew and may determine on their own to return to shore if they feel the sea conditions are unsafe.

Personal Floatation Devices
Those individuals paddling in an OC-6 who are unable to swim or tread water must wear personal floatation devices while paddling. Each individual who is required to wear a PFD must provide their own and will not be permitted to paddle in an OC-6 without one.

OC-6 Wa’a Safety & Etiquette
The following are responsibilities for every paddler for operating safely and with consideration for the wa’a, tradition and their fellow paddlers:

• Refrain from climbing over the wa’a hull or ‘iako. Duck underneath as needed, and always enter the wa’a on the ama side.
• Refrain from standing in or walking through the wa’a. To change seats, go into the water and climb into your new seat.
• To look behind you, look only over your left shoulder.
• Refrain from harsh or profane language.
• Loosely secure bailers to ensure they can be readily used.
• Seat 4 passes up verbal commands from the ho’okele.
• Seats 2 and 4 lean on the iako as directed by the ho’okele in rough water and whenever the wa’a is at a stop.
• Seat 1, the stroker, is responsible for looking ahead in the water to identify and notify the ho’okele of vessels, swimmers, obstructions or other situations that can affect the safety of the wa’a.
• Any paddler noting a potentially dangerous situation may shout “Hold water” if there is not sufficient time to inform the ho’okele first.

Huli Drills
Every club member is required to complete a huli drill once each year in order to be eligible to paddle. The club will schedule huli drills as needed to give sufficient opportunity to complete one.

Leaving and Entering the Channel to Kamakahonu Beach
The following are key basics that the ho’okele will follow when leaving and entering the channel to Kamakahonu Beach:

• In order to avoid the reef to the immediate southwest of the channel, leave the channel marker buoys to the right of the wa’a when departing; and, when returning, leave the channel marker buoys to the left.
• When approaching another vessel, maneuver to the right to complete a port-to-port passage unless safety conditions dictate otherwise.
• When returning, allow departing vessels to leave the channel before entering.
• Depart and return to the beach in single file. Do not attempt to pass another vessel in the channel.