KC3 Rough Draft Essay

Hawaii's beaches and sights are a joy to see. To watch, hula under the moonlight. To smell the salty ocean breeze rushing through your face. Hearing the peaceful medleys of the Hawaiian chants. Seeing all the canoe races, song contest, hula dances, and surfing contest makes you feel apart of Hawaii. But really know the true meaning behind these competitions. Canoe races has been around since the early Hawaiians. From the early days canoe racing has been a big part of the Hawaiian history and culture. Canoeing is one of the many, few sports, that is well known in Hawaii, but people don't really understand the true meaning behind canoeing, history and culture.The sport of canoeing just didn't appear 20 years ago, it started from the early Hawaiians. Two thousand years ago, the early Hawaiians created this very versatile invention, the canoe. Exploring the ocean and what's out there in the big world was a way that the canoe was used for. Catching fish and other sea creatures to find there families was another way the canoe was used. Canoeing was used for traveling to the outer islands and for survival. Depending on ocean and weather conditions the canoe was very handy. Two thousand years ago an ingenious way to get food and such and to explore and travel was created. The canoe was a simple invention but is used in so many ways. Once created it was spread  through the Pacific Rim Region. Having a little knowledge about the history of the canoe, helps you understand the how the canoe was designed and created to be used for many purposes. The canoe was designed to the ocean conditions surrounding the islands. The weight and size of the canoe played a impacted on the canoe. Weighting about 400 pounds and over 39 feet long. The canoe size depends on how many men are in the canoe. One men, two men, four men, and six men are some of the groups. The design played a major role in how the canoe moves and travels. The banana shaped like canoe makes it easy to maneuverable through the ruff sea water. The extra banana like shaped or the "ama"  was for  balance while paddling through the ocean. The Ka'Ale or the hull of the canoe was for storage. Even though the canoe doesn't have many parts to it, it's very useful. Knowing the design and how the canoe it's made helps you realize that the canoe was made with a purpose. Canoeing back then is completely different form today. Still keeping the tradition alive but working with the ocean conditions. Ohau Hawaiian Canoeing Racing Association (OHCRA) is keeping the Hawaiian tradition alive by having 3,000 paddlers racing in big competitions. Hui Wa'a consist of 2,000 paddlers. Both paddling teams involves training, commitment and determination. In toady's society some canoe clubs use the old  traditionally one which is the Koa wood. Others use fiber glass which is used in canoes in the mainland. The fiber glass canoe was invented in 1954. More people use Koa wood in Hawaii because there is a abundant here. In the mainland people tend to use fiber glass because of the lack of Koa wood there. In today's 21st century world we don't really see the true meaning behind canoeing and the history and culture that comes with it. Back, two thousand years ago when the early Hawaiians started to build and create the canoe. They took into consideration the ocean conditions and what materials they had. The canoe represents more than just the Hawaiian history, culture, and people. It shows what the Hawaiians had to do the survive. Seeing all the big canoe races being held in Hawaii but not knowing the history and culture behind the sport. Just remember when coming to Hawaii, there's more to it than just the beaches and wonderful views. There are competitions that mean everything to the people of Hawaii and hopefully it means something to you.