Monday, August 3, 1998

Aloha Racing
to build new yacht at
Barber’s Point

By Ray Pendleton
Special to the Star-Bulletin

Aloha Racing, the Waikiki Yacht Club's -- and the state's -- America's Cup challenger team announced yesterday at a press conference that one, and possibly two, America's Cup-class boats will be constructed on land adjacent to the Barber's Point Deep Draft Harbor.

These boats will be built to challenge teams from other parts of the U.S. and the world for the opportunity to race against the defending America's Cup holder, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, in Auckland in early 2000.

If successful, Aloha Racing's new yacht -- Abracadabra 2000 -- would bring the Cup, and the next race, to Hawaii. Such an event could mean as much as $2 billion dollars in revenue to the state.

"Having an entry based in Hawaii will go far to promote our ocean state," Gov. Ben Cayetano said.

Primary sponsorship of Aloha Racing is being provided by HealthSouth, a national healthcare company. Dr. James Andrews, Aloha Racing's primary individual supporter, has provided the current training platform, his OneDesign 48, Abracadabra.

Abracadabra is here to compete in the Kenwood Cup International Offshore Series, which begins today.

Once the boat, or boats, are built at Barber's Point, they will be berthed at the new marina facilities planned by the Ko Olina Company, LLC, on the Ewa side of the state harbor.

Marine-life artist Wyland has agreed to paint the hull of Abracadabra 2000.