In February 1984, a group of parents whose kids all played football together teamed up to form a canoe club in Haleiwa. Uncle Randy and Aunty Aloha Sanborn, Ben Yacapin, Alfred Navares and Joe "Black" Kahuiwai cleared the rubbish and planted baby coconut trees on the neglected parcel of land at the mouth of Anahulu Stream, now the picturesque site of Manu O Ke Kai Canoe Club. The club got its name "Manu" from an iwa bird that was spotted flying around the canoe site every day. In the first season, 65 paddlers shared two canoes. Over the past 37 years, membership has grown to more than 200 paddlers of all ages. Today, three generations of paddlers have had the privilege and the pleasure of calling Manu O Ke Kai home.

Founders Uncle Randy and Aunty Aloha Sanborn

The legacy established by Uncle Randy and the founders, and their mission to perpetuate the tradition of Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling is carried on today by an annually elected Board of Directors. Under the leadership of President Dave Fuga, the Board is devoted to maintaining a club that serves the local community, provides recreational and competitive training for its members and inspires positive growth for its youth paddlers. Manu's community service work includes assembling Kūpuna care packages for the Waialua and Wahiawā seniors, beach clean-ups, canned food drives, and creating scholarship opportunities. As a partner with the O'ahu Interscholastic Association, Manu is also home to the varsity and junior varsity paddling teams from Leilehua, Mililani and Waialua high schools.

"Today's seeds are tomorrow's roots," says Fuga. "We use paddling as a catalyst to develop camaraderie and strong values, and the club is a place where we can practice the cultural traditions that reflect the diversity of our memebers."

Board of Directors

Dave Fuga

President

Michele Sales

Vice President

Secretary

Yolanda Racca

Treasurer