[ SUNDAY TRAVEL ]
The culture and tradition of Marshallese canoe building and sailing will be celebrated next weekend when participants from more than 21 atolls come together for the sixth annual Outrigger Marshall Islands Cup. Festivities celebrate
Marshall Islands’ bestBy Tim Ryan
tryan@starbulletin.comThe event, to be held Friday and Saturday at the Outrigger Marshall Islands Resort, will feature several competitions along with traditional Marshallese arts, crafts, traditional dancing, navigational stick charts and food.
Opening day begins with a "tipnol" -- canoes 19 feet and longer -- sailing canoe race along the lagoon from Majuro Airport to the Outrigger Marshall Islands Resort. A men's and women's canoe paddling race, featuring two paddlers in each canoe, will be held in front of the resort.
There's also a recycled boat race for children, with last year's winner -- Delap Elementary School -- defending its title for the best canoe made entirely from recycled materials.
Day two features the main-event Outrigger Marshall Islands Cup, which determines the country's best sailor. Participants from more than 21 atolls compete in this 6-mile men's race across Majuro Lagoon in one-person sailing canoes, called "korkor." Each vessel is handmade and built on its home atoll using traditional materials and techniques, with the exception of modern sails.
New this year is a Kone Jubar, or Iron Man, competition that tests participants' skills in Marshallese customs like sailing, coconut tree climbing and weaving. There also will be a "riwut" race of small model canoes up to 5 feet long.
Both days will feature a variety of displays and activities celebrating Marshallese culture and tradition, including demonstrations of crafts from outer atolls like navigational stick charts and high-quality baskets made from pandanus leaves, coconut fronds and cowrie shells. There also will be a traditional dance competition and booths featuring traditional Marshallese fare.
The Outrigger Marshall Islands Cup has helped rejuvenate interest in traditional Micronesian canoe building and has become a nationally recognized cultural event for the people of the Marshall Islands. The annual event attracts competitors from throughout the Marshall Islands, including Ailinglaplap, Ebon, Namdrik, Arno, Wotje, Ujae and Majuro atolls.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands is 2,285 miles southwest of Honolulu.
For more information, call Race Coordinator Bill Weza at the Outrigger Marshall Islands Resort direct at 692-625-2525, or e-mail omrhtl@ntamar.com.
For reservations, call Outrigger Hotels & Resorts at 800-OUTRIGGER (800-688-7444), or check the Internet at www.outrigger.com.